Find Vacation Rentals: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Posted: 30 May 2012 12:37 PM PDT

by Jason Brick

The adventure of foreign travel becomes even more adventurous when travelling with children. Between the logistics, safety concerns an simple energy output, it’s important to choose destinations that make your trip as safe and easy as possible. If you leave the English-speaking world, Japan can be one of the best destinations for family travel. The cultural differences will broaden your kids’ horizons, and the country is among the safest in the world. You can make the most out of your family trip by keeping in mind a few simple tips.

Japan is crime free

So much so that subway graffiti is literally front-page news. It’s also a cash economy, with few ATM machines and few vendors who accept credit cards. You can safely carry cash, and relax your vigilance for abduction and other predators.

Japan is less safety-conscious

You’ll find fewer guard rails, traffic signs and other objects designed to prevent accidental injury than you are accustomed to seeing in North America and Europe. Use the extra mental energy you have from not watching your wallet to keep a closer eye on your kids when you’re near potential hazards.

Navigating in Japan is a challenge

Signs are in kanji – Japanese writing. Not all streets have names, and building numbers are in chronological rather than geographic order. Plan your routes ahead of time and always carry a map. It also helps to make a quick sketch of the key kanji you'll need for your trip – such as city and station names.

Observe a hands-on policy in crowds

Especially on public transportation, it can be easy to lose track of your family in infamous crowds of Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Keep a hand on each other as you move, especially in situations where you could become separated.

Be ready to talk about sex

Sexual media is commonplace in Japan – in the daily papers, in comic books, in vending machines and on posters. Most towns have at least one fertility shrine in the form of a giant statue of a penis or vagina. This doesn't have to ruin a family trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, but you should prepare to have a conversation about all of these images.

Eat a variety

McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken have a strong presence in Japan, enough that you might be tempted to buy your kids off with American fast food for many meals. This would be a mistake. Instead, try the local food stalls, sushi shops and yakitori restaurants. Japanese food is some of the most diverse cuisine in the world. Even if your family doesn't love it, you'll have a story to tell when you get home.

Carry your phrasebook

Most Japanese took a few years of English during school, but few speak the language well enough to really communicate. You can read phrases from your pocket dictionary, or use the time-honored trick of pointing to the phrase and letting the helpful locals read for themselves.

A trip to Japan will be a great adventure for your family, and a memory you all can cherish well into their adult years.

One of Jason’s first memories is pretending to write while in preschool. When not writing, he enjoys martial arts, board games and dancing with his wife.

Friday, May 25, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

You’ll Need Sunscreen When Visiting Tel Aviv

Posted: 24 May 2012 11:32 AM PDT

Today we are featuring Melissa Davis on behalf of Cruise About with the best cruise deals you can find online.

A warm sandy beach vacation in Tel Aviv will surely eliminate your cold weather blues. With its long expanse of pleasant brown sand located next to the city, you'll have toasty toes in no time. Another benefit to visiting Tel Aviv is the city itself, which features numerous accommodations, delectable restaurants and nightlife.

Tel Aviv beach is one long expanse. However, you'll find that the site is split into a number of separate beaches with each one offering unique dining, plenty of local residents and an abundance of activities. Several of the best Tel Aviv beaches include:

Tzuk Beach

You will have to pay to visit this beach, but with the first-class amenities on site, it's definitely worth the cost. However, it is located on the north side of town, and you will need a car to get there.

Gordon-Frishman Beach

With its proximity to the city, Gordon-Frishman Beach is busy. However, you'll find plenty of warm sand, comfortable ocean waters and sun.

Banana Beach

When you are looking for a fun time, Banana Beach is the place to go. Locals choose to visit Banana Beach for a drink while enjoying the picturesque sunset. Also, residents enjoy meeting travelers and may offer you a few tips regarding the city. You'll find visitors from all over the world at Banana Beach. Moreover, the café offers tables and chairs for a comfortable evening spent with drinks and friends.

Dolphinarium Beach

If you enjoy listening to the performances of local musicians while vacationing, then Dolphinarium Beach should be your destination. The tone is youth oriented, and you'll enjoy the weekly Friday music festival. However, the facilities are lacking, so if you prefer a pristine beach, then this is not the place for you.

Alma Beach

When you are in need of a quiet beach experience, Alma Beach will accommodate you. It doesn't have a life guard, so you will need to be cautious when swimming and look out for the jellyfish. Also, you'll find a number of locals picnicking on the beach with their grills, which may make you hungry. Moreover, this south side beach is enjoyable, and a delightful place to visit.

Religious Beach

The city has earmarked this beach for religious observation. Therefore, certain days are assigned to men and women. However, if you're visiting on Saturday, then it's free to all interested beach dwellers. Keep in mind that women may enjoy the quietness of a male excluded beach during their days of the week.

Tel Baruch Beach

Once popular for its unseemly "working girls," the beach is now mostly free of them. You will need a vehicle to get to Tel Baruch Beach. However, it's worth locating due to a wide stretch of sand and now family friendly atmosphere.

Metzitzim Beach

Metzitzim Beach shares its name with a well-known Israeli 70s movie, which has increased the beach's popularity. Furthermore, you'll find a beach bar, young hip crowd and plenty of sand and water.

Hilton Beach

With its location by the Hilton Hotel, this popular surf beach is beloved by gay visitors, dog walkers and travelers interested in beach activities such as volleyball. In fact, the beach tempts surfers regardless of the weather as long as the waves are plentiful. You'll also find amenities such as beach chairs and bathrooms.

Miscellaneous Beaches

You'll find several beaches that share their names with local streets that connect to them like Trumpeldor and Bograshov. Another great place to spend a day lounging in the sand is at Jerusalem Beach.

When you need to worship the sun, Tel Aviv provides plenty of places in which to do so. Furthermore, you'll find a beach where you can be yourself while spending time with other travelers who share your interests.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Introducing Matt Landau

Posted: 23 May 2012 12:08 PM PDT

by Dan Weisman

FlipKey is excited to introduce Matt Landau, a vacation rental marketing specialist, who will be contributing articles designed to help owners improve their bookings and year-round occupancy rates. If you are looking for new ideas to increase your rental income, Matt's insight is extremely valuable and game-proven.

Matt, a New Jersey native, plies his trade in Panama where his fleet of vacation rentals – Los Cuatro Tulipanes – in the capital's historic district has been crowned a 2012 Traveler's Choice Award on TripAdvisor as well as featured in The New York Times, GQ, and CNN among a host of other major publications. After achieving such high occupancy rates, Matt started the Vacation Rental Marketing Blog to help other owners just like him make more money.

Matt's research seemed particularly relevant to us at FlipKey because we know promoting vacation rentals can be difficult and we like to give our clients as many resources as possible.

A self-proclaimed "everyday owner," Matt gets scientific about marketing his rentals, which is why we think he resonates with our reader base. He spent more than 6 years experimenting with techniques (both free and paid) to determine, statistically, which ones worked in generating bookings and which were a waste of time. He compiled his findings in a report called 30 Bookings in 30 Days, which has sold over 500 copies.

In addition to FlipKey listings, there is a wide array of resources to increase bookings out there and Matt's report reads like a who's who of occupancy-boosting techniques, some of which we'd never even heard of ourselves! And because the research in his report and on his blog is described in layman's terms, there's always opportunities for any owner – from beginner to expert – to learn something new.

We think that Matt's information is tremendously valuable and are happy to welcome him aboard.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

The Best Things To Do in Tel Aviv

Posted: 22 May 2012 07:17 AM PDT

Today we are featuring David Wise. Originally from Australia, at last count, David had been to 53 countries. He loves to combine travel and sport. His next stop is Ukraine and Poland for EURO 2012.

Tel Aviv is the social center of Israel. All Israel tour packages will spend considerable time in Israel’s most sophisticated and cosmopolitan city. Here are five activities that will let any visitor get the most out of Tel Aviv.

1. Lazing on the Beach

Tel Aviv sits on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It has eight miles of beaches to enjoy. A promenade runs along the long stretch of beach and has a variety of restaurants for a relaxing lunch or dinner.

There are plenty of the typical water sports available at the beaches as well, from jet skiing to surf lessons. The stand-up paddle board is a local specialty, so taking lessons in this unique way to enjoy the sea would be an Israeli experience.

2. The Shopping

Tel Aviv has shops with all the world’s leading designers, mostly found in Kikar Hamedina and Ramat Aviv mall. However, Tel Aviv is also the heart of a very active fashion design scene in Israel. More interesting shopping options may be many of the small shops stocked with locally designed goods, some even run by the designers themselves. Many can be found on Sheinkin Street, Rothschild Boulevard, and the Florentine neighborhood.

People more interested in discovering a great find at flea markets should go to the Carmel Market, a second hand furniture market. It’s also a food market, so shoppers can eat and shop all day.

3. Learn About a National and Global Culture

The Museum of the Jewish People (“Beit HaTfutsot”) tells the story of the Jewish people going back thousands of years and covering every corner of the globe. One of the most memorable exhibits is the constant flow of contemporary photographs of Jews representing every nation on Earth. The exhibition halls are designed around themes of faith, culture, family, and community. There are two other exhibition halls, one that focuses on Israel and the other on the relationship between Jews and their many host cultures in other countries.

4. Explore the Arts

In addition to some leading art galleries, Tel Aviv is home to some neighborhoods that are art works themselves. Neve Tzedek is a little village within the city has long been home to artistic types. Many of its homes have architectural significance.

A Bauhaus tour highlights Tel Aviv’s wealth of Bauhaus buildings. The Bauhaus Center gives the history of the city and this distinct architectural style.

There are a number of performing arts venues, but the most unusual is the Na’Laga’at Center in the Jaffa Port. This center is home to the Na’Laga’at Deaf-Blind Acting Ensemble and the BlackOut Restaurant. The actors are all deaf, blind, or both, and offer audiences a one-of-a-kind experience. The BlackOut is a pitch black restaurant staffed with blind waiters.

5. Party Until the Sun Comes Up

Tel Aviv is regularly named one of the world’s best nightclub cities. The hottest clubs are always changing, but they’re usually located either in one of the ports or near the beach.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Seven Reasons to Keep the Waitakere Ranges a Secret

Posted: 18 May 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Today we are featuring Michelle Teillon, an avid traveler and active FlipKey member.

Whenever I travel, I ask "the locals" to recommend their favorite spots. During a recent trip to New Zealand, I met a couple from Auckland who raved about the Waitakere Ranges with rugged beaches, rainforests, and native bush. Though only a 45-minute drive from Auckland, this area is less frequented by foreigners compared to other Auckland-area attractions. In fact, the only "tourists" I met during my April visit were Auckland day trippers.

Key Attractions:

1. Scenic Drive (Auckland) twists its way 17 miles from the small bohemian town of Titrangi (population ~3,300) to the even smaller Swanson (population ~2,400). The road is engulfed in lush vegetation of several shades of green, with periodic breaks for spectacular views of Auckland, Manuakau Harbour, and valleys dotted with grapevines and farms.

2. The Arataki Visitor Centre presents exhibits for both adults and children about Maori legends as well as local flora, fauna, and geology. There are several short walks from the Centre, and the on-site ranger can recommend tramps along the 150+ miles of trails in the Waitakere Ranges.

3. Stunning beaches on the Tasman Sea,including Karekare and Piha, live up to expectations with their glistening black sand, wild waves, and imposing rock formations and cliffs. Enjoy long beach walks, swimming, and fabulous sunsets. And for the more adventurous, there is surfing.

Karekare Beach was made famous by scenes from the Oscar winning movie The Piano. Another piece of trivia – one of New Zealand's most popular pop exports, Crowded House, recorded most of Together Alone in Karekare. In its honor, the first song on the soundtrack is entitled Kare Kare. Despite the notoriety, Karekare Beach still draws nominal crowds. This is probably because it is somewhat isolated; one needs to walk about ¼ mile from the car park, often requiring getting one's feet wet in a small sea stream. Also, it is probably somewhat by design; the small parking lot maybe accommodates 30 cars. And there is no town center to speak off, just the Surf Patrol and a handful of homes.

Piha Beach is more frequented. It is more accessible than Karekare Beach and is known as one of the best surf beaches in New Zealand. In calmer seas, the surf is good for all levels; but when swells exceed six feet, it is best for experienced surfers only. There are a few surf shops for rentals: Piha Beachstay, Piha Surf, and The Lion Rock Surf Shop.

4. The Hillary Trail is a 40+ mile track named for Sir Edmund Hillary, who frequently visited the area when planning expeditions. Completed in 2010, the track strategically links several trails and campgrounds to offer a four-day, three-night tramp. Day hikes incorporating a section of the Hillary Trail are also possible. Trailheads from Karekare and Piha lead to two-to-four hour loops, and offer breathtaking vistas (ask for the map with Karekare and Piha area tramps at the Arataki Visitor Centre).

5. West Coast Gallery features frequent exhibitions and affordable artwork for sale from Waitakere artists including paintings, photography, and ceramics. My trip "souvenir' was a piece entitled "Paisley Dreams" by Ruby Oakley, a New Zealand artist specializing in multi-media paintings and printmaking.

6. Piha Café is just what a beach café should be. The vibe is laid-back (bare feet encouraged!) and the food outstanding – sumptuous breakfasts and coffee in the a.m., and gourmet pizzas (like Moroccan pizza with spicy lamb and olives) in the p.m. Plus they have great take-away if you want to picnic on the beach.

7. Home rentals give you the chance to settle in and feel like a local. I stayed at the stunning "Treehouse", aptly named as the 3 mod buildings (kitchen/living/dining, bedroom, and bath) are nestled on a hill amongst the trees. Here is another beautiful Karekare home.

Now that the secret is out, add the Waitakere Ranges to your itinerary if planning a trip to New Zealand!

Friday, May 18, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

How to Avoid Bringing Bedbugs Home from Your Family Vacation

Posted: 17 May 2012 10:43 AM PDT

Today we are featuring Karen Barnes, writer for bedbugs.org, which has some useful tips on how to deal with these nasty pests. Karen enjoys regular short breaks away and always takes precautions to avoid coming into contact with bedbugs whilst traveling on public transport.

Whether staying in a cabin on the lake or a chalet in the mountains, vacation rentals can be a great way to save money on a family vacation. These accommodations are usually nicer than a hotel or inn and often give greater access to desired activities and areas of interest. While vacation rentals are rarely reported to have problems with bedbugs, it might be wise for travelers to become more knowledgeable about this insect and the most likely places that it might be found, to avoid bringing any unwanted guests home with them.

Bedbugs are tiny parasitic bugs that feast on human blood and dead skin cells. Although these pests were almost eradicated in industrial societies by the 1950s, they have made a great comeback since the turn of the century. These bugs must have transport to move from one place to another, and they do this by attaching to skin, hair, clothing, bags, or pets. While bedbug bites rarely cause major medical issues, the rash is unsightly and can sometimes itch so badly that the constant scratching results in infection.

While on Vacation

Because bedbugs have been discovered in even the most fastidious brand-name department stores and on public transportation, it is a great idea for every traveler to take them seriously. Because conventional insect repellents do not affect bedbugs, the following tips may prevent you from transporting these creepy little critters from a plane or train into a vacation rental and also ensure that none of them go home with you:

Do not travel in shoes made of cloth or canvas.
Never place purses or bags on upholstered or carpeted areas.
Be prepared to place a sheet of plastic between you and any upholstered seat.
Take several zippered bags so that any shopping purchases can be secured until you get them home to run them through a hot water washing and dryer session.
Always use the luggage rack provided or place suitcases on a tiled area.
Inspect any upholstery and bedding for signs of bedbugs and especially any red or brown specks that might indicate the presence of these pests.

After Returning Home

Even if you have not seen a bedbug during your trip, these sneaky little devils have a way of finding a way into your own house once your vacation is over. The precautionary measures should keep this from happening:

Unload and unpack everything in an uncarpeted area.
Take anything that can be washed and dried straight to the laundry area for immediate treatment at the highest temperatures possible.
Enclose mattresses and pillows in zippered cases for at least two weeks after you return from travel.
Do periodic checks of carpeting, mattress and curtain seams, and upholstered furnishing for the next month to catch any early signs of a bedbug invasion.
Check pets carefully before allowing them to reenter your home, or house them in the garage for several days until you are sure they are bedbug free.

It is easier to prevent bedbugs from entering your home than it is to get rid of them once they have arrived and set up shop. Once an infestation is active, it may take a professional exterminator to solve the bedbug problem. Pre-emptive action should ensure that you do not bring bedbugs home with you after a wonderful family vacation.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

5 Fun Family Friendly Adventures in Moab

Posted: 15 May 2012 12:39 PM PDT

Today we are featuring, Randall Pinkston, the founder and editor of Neotravel.com, a budget travel resource specializing in car rental deals and flash travel sales. When not traveling or writing about travel, Randall spends his time hiking with his family or dreaming of their next big road trip.

One of the most well-known outdoor adventure areas in the United States, Moab has more than extreme mountain biking routes and steeps hiking trails – Moab is a great place for outdoor family fun, too. Nestled in a green valley surrounded by red sandstone cliffs, Moab is a small tourist-centered community with a little bit of history, a few music festivals, fun water sports, and tons of things for families to do!

1. Movie Museum

Moab has been a popular location for western films since the 1930s, with many John Wayne films including Stagecoach and Rio Grande being filmed here. More recent films shot in the area include City Slickers, Thelma and Louise, Geronimo, and hundreds of commercials. The Movie Museum at the Red Cliffs Lodge is a fun way to spend an hour, looking at old movie posters, props and costumes from the past 80+ years of Moab area film making. You’ll be surprise at how many movies, TV show and commercials were actually filmed in the area.

2. Music Festivals

Moab also puts on two well-known music festivals – the Desert Rocks Music Festival in May, and the Moab Music Festival in late summer. Desert Rocks Music Festival is a three-day music festival that features a wide range of genres, from rock to hip-hop to country. Popular acts in 2012 include The Wailers, Beats Antique, and Brother Ali. The Moab Music Festival is a 12-day music event inspired the amazing Moab landscape. Mostly showcasing classical chamber music, the festival in the past has had performances from word class musicians, vocalists, and pianists.

3. Four-wheeling

In the end, enjoying the outdoors is why families go to Moab. Four-wheeling is a popular activity, and families can take guided trips or rent a 4X4 and hit the trails on their own. The Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail is one of the most popular trails to take in a 4X4, because you can actually get close up views of dinosaur bones and fossil remains. Easy-to-find bones include sauropod leg bones, vertebrae, ribs, and toe bones, and the fossilized remains of a large tree trunk and some smaller plants, plus several types of dinosaur tracks. Past the dinosaur bones you can also see an abandoned copper mill and the remains of the Halfway Stage Station, a lunch stop in the 1800s for stagecoaches traveling between Moab and Thompson, Utah.

4. Hiking and Biking

Hiking and biking are the reason that most people head to the Moab area, and families don’t need to feel left out. In addition to difficult, expert-level trails there are many short, flat trails that lend themselves to families quite well. Not only are they easier to navigate, but the payoff can be awesome. The Corona Arch Trail is a moderately easy trail, as it is mostly flat and only a 3 mile round-trip. On this short trail you see three very impressive arches, the most memorable of which is Corona Arch. Sometimes called Little Rainbow Bridge, Corona Arch’s opening is an awe-inspiring 140-feet by 105-feet, and absolutely beautiful. If you’re going to take your family on any hike in Moab, do this one.

5. Water sports

If you want to get off the rocks and out of the heat, you can always go in the water. Moab is the only town in Utah that sits on the Colorado River, and there are many water sport options for visitors. You can take the river all the way to the Canyonlands National Park in a canoe, kayak, raft, or jet boat, and all those options are available for rental in Moab. You can pilot yourself, take guided tours, or even take sunset or dinner cruises for a little more luxury (and a lot less paddling). If nothing else, kids love doing some swimming at the parks located along the Colorado River in Moab.

Image credit: mestdagh

Friday, May 11, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Vacation on Location: 5 Famous Film Locations

Posted: 10 May 2012 10:26 AM PDT

by Reannon Muth

While it's usually the human stars of a film that get the most recognition, there's the occasional film whose setting that plays just as big of a role in the movie's success as the actors themselves. Think the craggy mountains of New Zealand in Lord of the Rings or the mossy forests of Washington in Twilight. And could you imagine how different the Sex and the City films would have been had they taken place in say, New Mexico instead of New York?

The following is a travel guide to five popular vacation destinations and the iconic films that launched them into the spotlight..

1. Salzburg, Austria: The Sound of Music

Though 300,000 people visit Salzburg every year to participate in the city's The Sound of Music-themed tours, dinner shows and sing-alongs, a 1965 Broadway musical-turned-film isn't the only reason why "the hills are alive with the sound of music" nor is it even the most notable one. Long before Julie Andrews ever twirled on the green hillside or splashed in the Mirabel fountain, Salzburg was a mecca for music-lovers the world over. Not only was it once home to Mozart, it was (and still is) home to a prestigious music conservatory and an annual classical music festival.

But nevertheless, for Americans at least, it was the show-tunes and not the classical compositions that first put Salzburg on the map. Thus, for those who count Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals as a few of their "favorite things", a visit to the Schloss Frohnburg and Mirabell Gardens Palace is worth adding to the list.

The Schloss Frohnberg (a palace that has since been transformed into a university dormitory) was used in all of the exterior shots for the Von Trapp house. The gardens and fountain of the Mirabell Palace were used as a backdrop for the famous "Do Re Mi" number, during which Maria and the Von Trap children marched around the fountain and hopped up and down the palace steps.

Perhaps what makes the best photo opportunity, however, is the gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sang "Sixteen Going on Seventeen". The gazebo is located on the grounds of the Hellbrunn Palace, which with its trick fountains and seashell-covered grottos, is an interesting place to visit in and of itself.

2. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts: Jaws

Steven Spielberg's first breakthrough film was set on a fictional island he called "Amity Island", which was, in actuality, Martha's Vineyard; a 20-mile island located six miles off the coast of Massachusetts.

The film's success brought a relatively unknown Martha's Vineyard to the world's attention, turning the wooden beach houses and white picket fences of Edgartown into a popular summer vacation destination. In honor of the film, Martha's Vineyard will host its second Jaws Fest in August 2012; a weekend of outdoor movie screenings, cast and crew interviews and a treasure hunt centered on locations where the movie was filmed.

3. Seaside, Florida: The Truman Show

When the beach cottage community, Seaside, made its first big-screen appearance in the 1998 Jim Carrey film, The Truman Show, it looked so idyllic, quaint and old-fashioned that it was easy to assume the entire town had been built on a Hollywood soundstage.

But with a charter school, a Saturday-morning farmers market and a population of 2,000, Seaside is very much a real town (albeit it a relatively new one).

The community, located along the Florida Panhandle, is what's known as a 'master-plan community'. Inspired by the fond memories of his childhood family beach vacations, architect Robert S. Davis transformed the 80-acre beach retreat he'd inherited from his grandfather into a vintage beach town, complete with climate-adapted wood-framed cottages and wide, walkable streets. Visitors to Seaside can rent a catamaran (like Jim Carey's character did in the film's climactic final scene), go for a nature walk or go swimming at the beach or at one of the town's three swimming pools.

4. London, England: Harry Potter

Of all the film locations on this list, London is the only one that needs little introduction. London became a popular travel destination thousands of years before author JK Rowling ever sat in a coffee shop in Edinburgh and first dreamed up what would eventually become a billion-dollar seven-book and eight film franchise. That said, there are three locations in particular that took on a magical identity during filming: the London Millennium Bridge, the London Zoo and King's Cross Station.

The London Millennium Bridge became victim to a Death Eater attack in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Though the collapse of the bridge was the work of computerized special effects, the bridge itself is real and serves as a choice destination for an afternoon stroll.

The reptile house at the London Zoo is where Harry Potter first discovered he could communicate with snakes in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Look for the plaque next to one of the glass python cages; it marks the actual spot where the scene was shot.

Finally, if you're passing through King's Cross Station, be sure to visit Platform 9 ¾ (the magical doorway into the wizarding world) and have your photo taken underneath the platform's sign.

5. Kauai, Hawaii: Jurassic Park

Kipu Ranch on the Hawaiian island of Kauai has been the setting for a number of adventure films, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Outbreak and Mighty Joe Young. But it was in the 1996 film Jurassic Park: The Lost World where the ranch played its most prominent role to date. The opening sequences of the film were shot in the ranch's 3,000 acres of meadows and tropical rainforests.

Visit Kipu Ranch today and you're not likely to spot any dinosaurs, but you may spot some peacocks, wild boars or if you're really lucky, the endangered state bird of Hawaii: the Nene goose. You can explore the ranch on foot, on tour or on a rented ATV. In addition to the wildlife and tropical plants, the ranch has two waterfalls and a swimming hole.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Cape Cod Weekend Getaway: Martha’s Vineyard

Posted: 09 May 2012 07:57 AM PDT

by Jenn & Hannah

Just a short ferry ride from Wood’s Hole, on Cape Cod, is the summer paradise of Martha’s Vineyard. If you’re staying on the Cape for a while, why not take your bicycles and backpacks, board the ferry for the Vineyard and get away from it all for a weekend? While summertime is perfect the shoulder seasons of spring and fall provide a solitude that is often lacking on Cape.

Cycle vs. Drive

You can take your car on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, but a bicycle might be better. You’ll save a bundle on the ferry as the fare for a regular car, round trip, is $85.00 but a bike is only $8.00. Parking can be a serious challenge on the island, especially in the busy summer months, and the backroads beyond the villages are perfect by bicycle. There are some designated bike paths, but the secondary roads are paved and comfortable for cyclists. Drivers on the Vineyard are used to bicycles in traffic and you’ll find them courteous and willing to share the road. Bicycles are easy to rent on the island, just look near the ferry docks in either village. You can pick up a bike map at the Chamber of Commerce in Vineyard Haven, on Beach Road.

**Note: If you take your own bike on the ferry, DO NOT trust the bike stands on the boat, if the boat pitches and your bike falls over you can bend that front wheel beyond repair. Trust us, we know. If that DOES happen, there are bike mechanics just off the ferry who seem all too familiar with this repair.

Where to Stay

Weekend rentals are easy to find, with over 1600 available through Flipkey alone. Summer is the peak season for vacationers on the Vineyard, so you can expect to pay more June-September and should plan to make reservations as far in advance as possible. The village of Oak Bluff is especially quaint, and will have easy access to plenty of shops and fun restaurants to suit any taste. But if you prefer quiet, look for a beach house, perhaps on Chappaquiddick, a secluded island that was recently separated from Martha’s Vineyard during a storm in 2007. Don’t miss the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge if you want quiet communion with nature.

Don’t Miss Out!

No weekend on the Vineyard would be complete without a ride on the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluff, one of the oldest carousels in the country; dating back to 1870. At just $2.00 a ticket it’s a cheap trip back in time for the young or the young at heart.

If you’re a movie buff then you will want to pay your respects at John Belushi’s grave site. His body was moved in 1983 to keep fans from desecrating the site. The memorial stone is still there.

The Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluff are darling and an interesting architectural attraction on the island. If you’re on a bike, you’ll get the best view as traffic won’t push you on past too quickly! There are more than 300 cottages painted in rainbow hues.

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum, in Edgartown, is worth an afternoon if you have it. Chock-full of history and cultural information about the island, it will help you develop an appreciation for the hardy souls who’ve called the island home for centuries.

Hungry? It might be cliche, but have lunch at the Black Dog Tavern, in Vineyard Haven, anyway. Just don’t buy a sweatshirt, or you’re marked as a tourist for sure! (Oh go ahead, buy the shirt!) Their food is legendary and you’ll find locals and off-islanders alike in the dining room. Be sure to ask to sit by a window, the view of the harbor is lovely.

Of course there are beaches, lighthouses and the clay cliffs to see too, the more time you have to explore, the more places you’ll discover that you love!

A dynamic mother-daughter duo of travel writers, Jenn & Hannah are in their fourth year of an open ended world tour. Their partners in crime are Dad & 3 brothers and together they are http://www.edventureproject.com