Ski Holidays | Rental Homes Blog

Making your Vacation Rental home for the Holidays

It’s the eternal struggle: Do you spend the holidays in the comfort of your home, where traditions can live on, memories are strong, and family members can drop in and out as they please? Or, do you take the extra days off and jet away to a vacation rental somewhere warm and sunny (or if you prefer, snowy and cozy)?

Maybe if you can find a way to capture the magic of being home for the holidays, and bring it to wherever the next flight out takes you, you don’t have to choose – Christmas will follow you wherever you go.

Here are our tips on making your holiday vacation rental feel a little more like home for the holidays:

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Beach Holidays / Family Holidays / Ski Holidays / Travel Tips / Uncategorized

Breathtaking Banff National Park Alberta

The Natural Beauty of Banff Alberta!

‘Breathtaking’ really only begins to describe the scenery within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. The mountain vistas are seemingly endless, the wildlife is in abundance, and the lakes are simply spectacular. This Canadian national park is one of the most beautiful in the world.

That beauty has long been revered, as Banff is the oldest national park in Canada and in fact one of the earliest to be established anywhere, formed in 1885 and opened up to the public thanks to the development of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In the early days people came to enjoy the hot springs and maybe take a hike in the hills and mountains above Banff town site and the renowned Banff Springs Hotel, and although things have changed, today these historical gems can still be enjoyed by tourists who travel to Alberta.

Staying in Banff National Park

Being a national park, development is restricted here yet there are still communities and resorts that remain from the earlier days of the park. In Banff itself you’ll find a number of hotels including the aforementioned Banff Springs, while at Lake Louise the equally impressive Chateau Lake Louise is a wonderful place to stay, if you have the budget!

As you can imagine, these two Canadian Pacific Railway hotels are luxurious with a price tag to match, so if you want to have a longer vacation in the Rockies you would be better off renting a vacation villa or holiday home, for best value. The town of Canmore, Alberta is just outside the boundaries of Banff National Park and there are numerous vacation villas here for rent. Canmore has the benefit of being just a couple of miles from the park gates and easily close enough to be able to explore the best of what Banff National Park has to offer (more on that in a moment), but it’s a little quieter than Banff town too and doesn’t feel quite so commercialised.

Highlights of Banff National Park

You could spend weeks exploring Banff National Park and still not get to see all of it. The park itself does cover an area of 2,564 square miles (6,641 sq km) after all! Many of the visitors to Banff and the National Park stay along or close to the Highway 1 corridor, which is where some of the best highlights of the park can be found here.

The town of Banff is a popular vacation attraction in itself. There are several museums, the historic hot springs, and the Banff gondola that takes you up Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views. Just outside of Banff are several beautiful lakes – Two Jack and Lake Minnewanka, and a little further to the north is the world famous Lake Louise. Lake Louise is spectacular place to vacation in Alberta for sure, but in my opinion Moraine Lake is even better!

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Adventure Holidays / Canada / Ski Holidays

Outdoor adventures all year long! – Whistler B.C.

Come explore Whistler this spring!

Near Vancouver, Whistler B.C. consists of two mountains in southwest Canada. Families should visit Whistler in the spring to take advantage of the myriad of suggested family and child-oriented activities. While a luxury tourist destination year-round, the spring and summer in particular offer a wealth of family activities in Whistler that are often overlooked by ski and snowboard enthusiasts.

Families who visit Whistler in the spring or summer can rent bicycles and bike together on the over 150 miles of bike trails. While days of free range exploration are possible in the picturesque and sprawling bike park, both children and families can brush up their riding skills under the guidance of skilled professionals as well. Children as young as six years of age can participate in the mountain bike camp, with classes offered for beginners, experts, and all skill levels in between. Families can also stick together and pay for a private lesson with one of the expert coaches who reside at Whistler.

Learn about the Native Culture

Visitors interested in learning about the native people of the area can also visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center. Native food can be purchased here, as can jewelry and other pieces of art fashioned by the tribal craftsmen. Guests can watch the artists at work or explore the building and learn more about the history and culture of the First Nation. There is even a nature loop that families can take a stroll through that highlights local flora and fauna.

Activities for all ages

While very family-friendly, parents and children also have the opportunity to participate in activities in Whistler separately during their stay. For very young children, childcare is available to give parents a chance to take time for themselves and enjoy some of the more adult activities Whistler B.C. has to offer. This includes glacier skiing, spas, and golfing at any of the multiple golf courses. Dinner tours can also be enjoyed, complete with prizes and games.

While the adults are off playing, children and teens have their own activity centers. The Adventure Day Camps take young children hiking, swimming and to the nearby Adventure Zone. Pony rides, bungee trampolines, and a human gyroscope ride are just a few of the activities that can be found in the Adventure Zone, which is open to older children and adults as well. Older children can visit the Youth Center and play pool, skateboard, or work on art projects, among other activities.

Whether hiking, swimming, and riding together or splitting up to pursue varied interests, Whistler B.C. has activities for every age and interest. Parents looking to instill a love of nature and the outdoors can do no better than to visit one of the most breathtakingly beautiful locations on the planet.

Visit here for more details and ideas on outdoor activities in Whistler B.C.

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Adventure Holidays / Canada / Family Holidays / North America / Ski Holidays / Travel Tips

Great Reasons to Visit the Pacific Northwest USA

The scenic US states of Washington and Oregon are well known for their dramatic coastline, small towns and national parks – 13 in Washington and a further 5 in Oregon. Whether you want breezy walks and beachcombing along sandy beaches or glorious mountain escapes with plenty of waterfalls, this corner of the USA has something for everyone.

The city of Seattle is a great base for exploring this wonderful area. It has an international airport and good road links to everywhere including Vancouver, Mount Rainier, the Olympic National Park and the North Cascades. It is the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and the original store is still buzzing on Pike’s Place, right opposite the vibrant fish and produce market. Visit historic downtown, ride to the top of the Space Needle for stunning views from the observation deck or go whale watching around the islands in Puget Sound.

Within easy reach from Seattle, Mount St Helens is an amazing place to visit once the road is clear of snow, about mid-May. This volcano famously blew its top, literally, in 1980 leaving forests like matchwood scattered across a vast area and a thick layer of ash smothering everything. Another landmark is Mount Rainier, its snowcapped peak visible for miles around as it stands 4,392m (14,411 feet) high. It has two volcanic craters and 26 glaciers and is popular for hiking, climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing and spotting wildlife.

In midsummer the “Rose City” of Portland in Oregon is a wonderful place to appreciate the arts and crafts of the area with many displays in Waterfront Park. Take a trip on one of the historic streetcars and drop by the Portland Rose Garden – a truly stunning sight for garden lovers. Scenic drives out from this lovely city can explore the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River or take in the wineries of the Willamette Valley.

As previously mentioned, it is very easy to hop over the border into Canada from Seattle and spend a day or more in Vancouver. The drive through the foothills of the Cascades is truly breathtaking and the waterfront city of Vancouver has excellent shopping, dining and boating opportunities.

Vancouver Island is also easy to reach by ferry from Seattle waterfront or from Port Angeles. Spend the day in the charming Victorian city of Victoria, take afternoon tea in the Empress Hotel on the waterfront or catch the bus to the world-famous Butchart Gardens for a stunning floral display. The choice is yours!

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Colorado / Cultural Tourism / Family Holidays / Ski Holidays / USA

The Graceful Austrian City of Vienna

Vienna is a unique and lovely city which should definitely be on the agenda of every visitor to Austria. For many centuries it was the centre of the Hapsburg dynasty and the Imperial rulers created a marvelous Innere Stadt crammed with beautiful palaces, state apartments, churches and architectural monuments.

Although Vienna is still the official seat of the Austrian President and his Government, the Hofburg is now an open-air museum with attractions ranging from the Lipizzaner horses in the Spanish Riding School to the Egyptian Papyrus Museum. The most breathtaking attractions however are the state apartments and the Imperial Treasury which has a dazzling array of jewel-encrusted religious, royal and imperial ceremonial items which are priceless.

The Albertina is the most visited museum in Vienna and this former presidential palace houses a stunning art collection in the preserved staterooms. Decorated in rich colours and laden with gilt décor and carvings, the palace has an ebony and rose-inlaid parquet floor and original furnishings. The diverse collection of paintings includes works by Monet and Picasso, Klimt’s Studies of Women, photographs and architectural sketches.

Other highlights in Vienna to wow you are the former apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his family which still have the original furnishings along with a display of the Imperial Silver Collection. Even if you do not wish to attend a performance or Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera House, the building is well worth seeing when illuminated at night.

Beyond the Innere Stadt, the Schloss Schonbrunn and Tiergarten (Zoo) offer a full day of activities. Guided tours of the 40 rooms within the palace show the wonderful interior of this fabulous building. It is set in large formal gardens which are a delight to stroll around in summer. There is a maze, tropical greenhouse and a large zoo within the grounds.

Beyond the grand architectural attractions, Vienna offers many more things to do. The pedestrianized area has excellent shops within the ground floor of some beautiful architecture. Individual shops, markets and shopping centres offer beautiful Austrian gifts including carvings, cuckoo clocks and some of the smoothest chocolate in the world. Vienna even has its own Viennese cuisine which is distinctly different from Austrian cuisine.

Music, especially waltz music, pervades the air of this lovely city which is the home of the Vienna Boys Choir, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and composers Haydn and Beethoven. There is a prevalent café culture with many coffee houses offering the chance to sit outdoors and people-watch over a Viennese coffee.

In December, the city hosts several traditional Christmas Markets. The stalls are in small wooden chalets decorated with greenery and fairy lights. Seasonal music, hot gluhwein and spicy biscuits keep the cold at bay as people shop for handcrafted gifts.

Whether you are staying in the city or renting a chalet nearby, skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed at neighboring ski resorts in the Alps. Buses transport visitors from Vienna to the slopes each day.

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Austria / Cultural Tourism / Family Holidays / Ski Holidays

Seattle: Space Needle City

Seattle is nicknamed the “Gateway to the Pacific Northwest” and it makes a great base from which to explore this area. Seattle has some wonderful city attractions, superb shopping, waterfront dining, boat trips, the famous Pike Place Market and the original home of Starbucks, of course. From Seattle you are within easy reach of Mount Rainier National Park, the Olympic National Park, the Museum of Flight and the Chihuly Museum in Tacoma. Whatever you want from your vacation, Seattle can certainly provide it.

The skyline is easily recognized by the iconic Space Needle Tower. Standing on a slim tripod of irregular-shaped legs, the top of the 605 foot tower has a flying-saucer-shaped observation deck. It was built for the World Fair in 1962 at a cost of $4.5 million, but it now costs far more than that to maintain.

Ride the elevator to the observation deck and if it’s a fine day, step out onto the outdoor terrace for 360 degree views of the city, the high-rise architecture in downtown and boats crisscrossing Elliot Bay towards Puget Sound. Free telescopes are strategically placed for visitors to zoom in on various landmarks.

The place to get the best view of the Space Needle is Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill. Barely more than an acre in size, this tiny grassy area has few amenities but stunning views of the city and Sound with the Space Needle in the foreground. It is particularly lovely at sunset and after dark when the cityscape is wonderfully lit up.

Pike Place Market is a local institution. Started as a Farmer’s Market in 1907, it is now a collection of 200 stalls and small shops on two levels. Sample sweet peaches, smell the fresh flower bouquets and admire the handmade items that are for sale. Biker bars, cheese counters, oriental herbalist stalls, pottery and antique shops can all be browsed under cover. The fresh fish stalls always draw a crowd to see the fishmongers keep up a merry banter with customers while tossing fish to and fro. Add to that the street artists, buskers and entertainers and you can have a lot of fun here. Just across Pike Place is the original Starbucks coffee shop – worth going in just to pick up their souvenir gift card.

Down on the waterfront, Pioneer Square is the oldest neighborhood in Seattle. Take a walking tour beneath the streets to discover long-forgotten alleyways and store fronts in a fascinating tour.

The Olympic Park is on a wonderful quiet peninsula and surrounds the glaciated 2,428m (7,965-foot) peak of Mount Olympus. There is only main highway which runs in a loop around the peninsula, but more than 500 miles of hiking trails which pass through green mossy forests and tumbling waterfalls. In winter, Hurricane Ridge has opportunities for alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

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Cultural Tourism / Ski Holidays / USA

Explore Canada Doing Something Different

Canada packs in a great deal for visitors, from its stunning scenery and national parks to world-class cities such as Quebec and Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Along with traditional activities such as hiking, mountain biking, climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, whale watching, kayaking and boat trips, there are a number of new ways to discover Canada’s wonderful heritage.

Desolation Sound in British Columbia may not be the first place you think of for snorkelling but the local Powell River Sea Kayak company is offering an opportunity for visitors to Snorkel with the Stars – stars being sunflower sea stars that live in the northeast Pacific and grow up to one metre in armspan. Their velvety bodies come in bright colours ranging from yellow and orange to red, purple and brown. Wetsuits, fins, snorkels and masks are provided and tourists are likely to see a host of other marine wildlife by snorkelling (or kayaking) in the amazing Desolation Sound Marine Park.

If you prefer to discover marine life from dry quarters, join the marine biologists aboard the JV Exploramer in the waters of the St Lawrence Gulf near Quebec. Tours aboard this floating laboratory allow visitors to assist in collecting and analysing data on everything from plankton to whales on a 90-minute tour experience of a lifetime. This trip is suitable for curious teenagers and adults with an interest in nature and science.

The Icefields Parkway is a stunning route through the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. This two-lane highway links Jasper and Banff National Parks and is lined with rocky peaks, waterfalls and glaciers. The Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield, can be accessed from the road and there is an excellent Visitor Centre with views of the foot of the glacier. Even if you have done the trip by car, consider redoing the journey in a Harley Davison sidecar. Open to the elements, it is the perfect way to get some amazing photographs of this stunning area.

From late August onwards, visitors to the Yukon are likely to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis or Dancing Lights, clearly visible after dark. Combined with the autumn colours of the changing leaves on the trees, it is a wonderful time to visit this northern territory for a trip to remember forever.

Another experience best done during the warmer months is a visit to the Torngat Mountains National Park. This is an important Inuit homeland area and visitors can visit the Research Station and Base Camp within the Torngat Mountains. See how the Inuit survive in these harsh conditions with a walk through the town, and learn about the history and wildlife of this remote area of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Adventure Holidays / Canada / Family Holidays / Ski Holidays