Month: October 2024

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Vacation Rentals and Destination Weddings

Whether you’re an event planner, a couple looking to tie the knot or a proud parent of a bride- or groom-to-be, you know that planning a wedding can be time-consuming and stressful. That’s why many have opted for destination weddings instead of conventional weddings, as they’re simpler to plan, are more intimate, and allow the couple and their close friends and family to enjoy a slice of paradise as they celebrate the marriage in a way that blows away their local banquet hall. However, what many are unaware of is that villa rentals, which are often large sprawling estates with magnificent courtyards, are often the perfect venue for destination weddings.

Vacation rental owners, for their part, are often happy to accommodate weddings, although, as is normal, they may expect a slightly higher rental fee, as well as an additional security deposit. They may also be happy to provide you with local contacts for catering and entertainment, which will help you offer something truly unique to your guests. The kitchens of such places also tend to be large and fully-equipped, and are therefore fully capable of accommodating a professional cooking crew.

Also, the couple and even some of their close family can stay on the property, as these villas not only tend to have a plethora of bedrooms, but may even have guest houses on site as well. Best of all, these properties are usually beachfront estates or at the very least have very large gardens, meaning the happy couple will get an amazing and unique backdrop as they exchange their vows, which is sure to create one of those unique wedding experiences none of the guests are going to forget any time soon.

If you’re a couple, you may also want to consider visiting your local travel agent for destination wedding information, as most travel agents can happily accommodate this request and even get you and your guests volume discounts on airfare. If you’re an agent yourself, you already know this, but you may not know that you can consult Travel Rental Network for a database of rental properties that are willing to work with you on commission, including many that are wedding friendly.

A destination wedding is an amazing opportunity to celebrate one of life’s most important moments in a way that’s beautiful, unique and unforgettable, which is why it’s no surprise that they’ve become so popular. Having said that, you may want some help planning things out, which is why your travel agent might just become your wedding planner before you know it!

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Why Call It A Lightweight Travel Trailer?

There was a time when one described a travel trailer as light weight it meant light weight. Today that information is no longer the case. The term” light weight” has become more of a marketing tool more than the word being used correctly. There are many campers that are much heavier than they should be to be classified as a lightweight. However, marketing that term has been beneficial to a lot of manufactures in having dealers and end users feel like they are buying a lightweight unit that is not.

A light weight camper in my opinion should be able to be pulled by a small pickup truck, mini van, or car. Lightweight travel trailers marked as such, are often so heavy that they can only be pulled by a full size truck and in some cases a heavier rated full size truck. The classifying reason it is called a lightweight camper is open to opinion. In the opinion of this writer, I feel that a travel trailer should weigh no more than 4,000 pounds. When you pack the unit with supplies, clothing, and other gear you will add approximately another 800 pounds. This is now approaching 5,000 pounds, which is at the maximum for smaller vehicles and exceeds some other vehicles capabilities. One must check the rating of their vehicle that they plan to tow the unit with.

A popular option has been the hybrid. This type RV will usually have a bed, bunk, or both that can be pulled out after arriving at your destination. This gives you a lot of extra space and possibilities without the added weight and length. Most of the hybrids will have pullouts that have solid bottoms that are on rollers that allow them to be pulled out easily, but have canvas side walls and roof. While there is nothing wrong with that, it is unacceptable by some campers. There are other hybrid models that have powered pullouts with solid roofs and side walls, but they will always be heavier.

Another option is what is called a pop up travel trailer. There are two types that fall into this category. The first is a travel trailer that has its entire body as a solid side wall type construction. The unique feature in this type travel trailer is that it has an electric or hydraulic powered lift that allows the top half of the RV to be raised for use, and lowered to be towed or while in a storage mode. One of the popular reasons for this type travel trailer is not just its light weight, but it can be kept in your home garage.

The other style in the pop up line is called by many names. Pop up, fold down, tent camper, and a multitude of other combinations. Most often the side wall on this type unit is made of canvas, but there are a few exceptions to that. Some have hard side walls, but it is rare.

I wish you the best in finding the travel trailer of your dreams. If you are shopping for a travel trailer that is considered to be light, don’t be fooled by the RV have Lite, Lite Weight, or other similar titles plastered on the side of it. Best wishes and Happy Camping.

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Unique Vacations in Cambodia’s Outdoors

Cambodian adventure travel holidays have been slowly gaining popularity in the last few decades. This south Asian country has seen an extremely rich and colorful history, which has left an indelible imprint upon it’s people and their heritage. Angkor Wat Temple, its most fabled site and the adjoining Angkor Archaeological Park, are the most prominent examples of this heritage, but the Cambodian landscape offers adventure travelers a wealth of opportunities – the provinces of Siem Reap, Koh Ker, and Preah Vihear afford a gateway to Cambodia’s rich history, with their temples and shrines. The Mekong lowlands which Include the areas Of Phnom Penh, Tonle Sap Lake, Kampong Thom and Kratie and extend to the beaches and islands in the elephant and Cardamom mountain regions in the west are another great area for explorers. For those seeking excitement and adventure there are plenty of heart stopping, pulse racing activities that Cambodia has on offer.

Cambodia is a very verdant country, and has several thousand acres of virgin wilderness, especially at the base of the Cardamom Mountains. These forests, though once the hub of dangerous Khmer Rouge activity, are now the den of less militant life forms, like the flying squirrel, the gawking monkey, and the elephant. In order to prevent the rapid erosion of the forest land by illegal poachers and the villagers who live on its fringes, the Cambodian government has introduced several guided excursions into the heart of Cambodian Cardamom forests, which enable outsiders to get a unique view of this country, and provide gainful employment to the locals. On these trips, the intrepid traveler will trek through tropical trees, braving the damp and leeches, to encounter every type and size of fauna – the wood spider, the rhino, the boar, and of course, the Asiatic elephant. On the way, trekkers will view occasional roaring waterfalls and picturesque bamboo huts at the forest fringes, while enjoying meals typical of the region – traditional rice and meat wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Cycle tours- If the quirks of nature are not your cup of tea another great Cambodian adventure outdoors is a cycling tour across the country. An activity geared to the entire family and individuals of all ages, this is a wonderful way of experiencing the untainted beauty of rural Cambodia, joining in with other cyclers and, staying at local taverns en route. As well, you’ll have the chance to see Cambodian artisans at work and acquire hand-made handicrafts and textile typical of the region as you travel along the countryside

Rafting and mountain biking – are popular on the mountainous northwest Cambodian regions and the Mekong River. Biking up the hillsides or rafting in the steamy streams are part and parcel of activities that go hand in hand in this region in an area unlike any found in the west.

After strenuous activity and adventure, birdwatchers will appreciate the Prek Toa Bird Sanctuary on the banks of Tonle Sap Lake, and home to large waterbirds and fowl. Kratie River is great place for rest and relaxation, as well as the place to spot the Irrawady Dolphins. Additionally, Cambodian beaches offer plenty of leisure activities to end a great adventure travel holiday in Cambodia.