Skip links

Destin Vacation Home Rentals

Destination Home Rentals

Main navigation

Zion National Forest

By on

Do you love being outdoors, enjoying the natural beauty around you. What about sleeping under the stars, going on breath taking hikes for all fitness levels?  Zion National Forest is filled with many streams, plateaus,buttes, and the beautiful Zion Canyon.  Located close to Springdale,Utah, Zion National Forest boasts 229 square miles to be explored and hiked through.  Are you not a fan of sleeping in nature?  Well there is accomodations for all types of nature lovers.  Not only is there a lodge to stay at, you may also enjoy Glamping! What exactly is glamping?  It is camping and luxury combined.  You have a personal tent set upon a wooden platform. The guests are able to stand up with in the tent, which boasts a queen size bed, couch and lamps and tables.  When you awake in the morning you can walk nearby to the restaurant on site and enjoy a freshly cooked country breakfast.

But what about you nature enthusiasts that prefer the real outdoors style camping?

There are three different campgrounds available throughout Zion, however the camps usually fill up very quickly between mid March thru November.  You may call to make a reservation or choose to take your chances in first come first serve.  Both the South and Watchman campsites are located within Zion Canyon.  These two sites are like that of desert style camping.  Not much shade which can be hard to bear during the summer months when temperatures spike in the 100s.  The third and final campground is that of Lava Point.  This site is located about an hours drive from Zion Canyon, on Kolob Terrace Road.  Every individual camp site has its own grill and picnic table.  There are metal trash cans and public restrooms but no showers.  Another thing to look out for when camping is the Western Tent caterpillar.  They are found in excess throughout the park, living on leaves and trees.  Every 8-10 years they over infest and can be annoying pests.  

If you prefer a little less rugged, we recommend Paria Sage Casitas, located in Paria Valley. About an hour from Zion, but close to many other natural wonders.

Now that we know that there is lodging what are some of the activities that can be done while visiting this National Park?  With many to choose from the list of activities is pretty long:

 

 

  • BackPacking- You are able to backpack throughout Zion National Forest upon having a backpacking permit.  There are maps provided that show campsites and a guide to assist you as well
  • Birding- Zion National Forest is home to 207 species of birds.  The visitors center provides a bird checklist to help guide you along your bird watching adventure.
  • Bicycling- Shuttles are available with bike racks to take you to either Pa’rus Trail or Zion Canyon Scenic Drive where bikes are permitted.
  • Canyoneering- This sport that combines hiking and swimming, propels you down into holes within the Canyon.  There is a permit required before trying this sport.  Also there are specific places for the beginners all the way to the experienced and advanced.
  • Climbing- For the rock climbers out there. This activity does require a permit.
  • Horseback Riding- A tour guided horseback ride through Zion Canyon.  Only available to enjoy March thru October.
  • Hiking- For every kind of hiker, there are trails available from  a short breezy walk, to those who enjoy a strenuous and challenging trail.

 

    • Kolob Canyons- These unique and breathtaking Canyons are left to be explored.

 

  • Hiking The Narrows- The Narrows are named for being the narrowest part of Zion Canyon.  With gorges that have walls rising 1000 feet and rivers only 20-30 feet wide.  They can be explored via a tour guide and are meant for those who don’t mind getting their feet wet.
  • Ranger-led Activities/Talks-  With meet ups at different locations throughout Zion Canyon This Ranger led activity will give you information on the specifics of the chosen location,.  Learn a little more about Zion National Forest  and all of its inner beauty found throughout.
  • River Trips- River trips include boating down the Virgin River
  • Stock Use-   For those with Stock animals, zion permits you to bring them if they include a horse, mule or burro.

 

With many activities and sights to see, Canyons and trails to explore Zion National Forest is a fabulous Vacation Destination.  Start planning your trip today.  With early reservations and planning ahead you may experience one of the most beautiful, fun and exciting vacations yet!

  

The Great Australian Outback

By on

The Australian Outback

One of the most beautiful and adventurous travel destinations is The Great Australian Outback! Many of us have visited the eatery Outback Steakhouse and have seen the lingo used on their menu, Shrimp on the barbie, aussie chips a.ka. french fries and gotten a pretty basic idea of Australian verbiage. However the entirety of this amazing country is only to be found if you experience the customs, local fare, gorgeous landscape, and the unique wildlife that resides on this massive expanse of land!

Travel with me to The Australian Outback, where it’s large dry regions cover most of the center of this country’s landscape.  To be exact there are 6 million acres that make up this dry region of land, which means it covers 70% of the entire Australian continent.  An interesting fact is that only 3% of this land mass is populated!  Known for its diverse landscapes, exquisite scenery, red dust, gorges, waterfalls, fresh water creeks, watering holes, and floodplains, Australia is also home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world.  

Because of this wildlife some being a bit dangerous to human interaction, the outback boasts one of the largest fences in the world, stretching a whopping 5531 kilometers!  It also bears the largest working cattle station in the world, known as Anne Creek Cattle Station.  

As far as wildlife goes, Australia is known for Koala Bears and Kangaroo.  But what are the other rare creatures that inhabit this desert like terrain? First we have the Marsupials consisting of a wide mix of Wallaby, Wombat, Bandicoot, Kultar, Marsupial Mole, Dunnart, Cuscus, Tasmanian Wolf, Possum, and Tasmanian devils.   Next we have platypus and echidna which make up the egg laying Marsupials.  There are also a variety of lizards, crocodiles and snakes.  In way of sea life Australia gets visited by migrating whales and bottlenose dolphins!

Next up…Food! When you decide to go down under you must eat up the delicious local fare! Known for their amazing and incredible BBQing skills, these Aussie locals know how to BBQ the right way.  They have great seafood and can make some mean shrimp on the barbie.  Another great meat to try is that of the Emu bird.  Not only is it virtually fat free, it has an iron content higher than beef and is very low in cholesterol. Damper, which is a soda bread with minimal ingredients is cooked over an open fire and is a local fare favorite.  Fish & Chips, again an example of their incredibly fresh and tasty seafood is a must try.  Iced VoVo, is a wheat flour biscuit that has a stripe of pink fondant on the top nestled in between stripes of fresh raspberry jam and dipped in coconut for a sweet treat.  Back to the BBQ we have barbecued snags, Australia’s version of the hot dog but ten times better.  These snags are made up of either beef or pork and flavored with spices from around the world as well as herbs.  Needing something sweet again we have Tim Tam,  another type of biscuit, but this time comprised of two chocolate malted biscuits with a light chocolate filling through the middle.  To finish it off it’s dipped in a chocolate coating.  Perfect for the chocolate lover.  Looking for something savory?  Try one of the country’s incredible meat pies or some crocodile meat!!  And last but probably the most popular is Vegemite!  Still debatable about what is actually in it, we do know it’s a dark brown spread mostly made out of yeast extract.  Locals love to spread it on toast for breakfast, a snack or at tea time.  Something you definitely must try just because of its Australian fame!  Stop in at one of the local pubs and enjoy great food and beer!

 

[Read more…] about The Great Australian Outback

The Desired Hot Tub

By on

One of the most frequently requested amenities by travelers and vacationers is a jetted hot tub, especially in the winter months. Whether the hot tub or spa is desired to relieve tired and sore muscles after a long treacherous…but fun, day on the slopes, or simply sit and soak in every night under the stars, it is a much requested amenity in a rental.

Through collecting our rental history data and analyzing it, we have to realize that not only are properties with a hot tub or spa more requested and booked, they are booked in advanced, more consistently booked, and at a higher rate. Many of our vacation properties do have the much desired hot tub, while many do not. Some property owners prefer not to deal with the additional upkeep and maintenance.

Colorado is a vacation destination year round. The winter months provide snow and several outdoor activities, as do the summer months. Relaxation and soothing away the days tired muscles is a luxury that many vacationers want.

We have aligned with a Northern Colorado Hot Tub Company, Patio Splash Hot Tubs & Spas, to offer our property owners a hot tub solution! Patio Splash not only has a variety of deals, but are northern Colorado’s only authorized Bullfrog Spa dealer. This equates to some of the very best prices there are. Patio Splash has also agreed to offer an extended discount to property owners when they mention that their vacation rentals are listed on our site.  Our goal is to bring the very best to our property owners and our vacationers.

Patio Splash has a variety of options to offer, depending on the needs of the customer. For those of you that are adding this amenity to your rental, you can opt for the full service and maintenance plan they offer. This plan allows you to be worry free about taking care of anything. When renters are staying at your property the hot tub will be ready for their use. Their service techs will keep the tub clean, serviced, and provide immediate emergency service, should it need it.

[Read more…] about The Desired Hot Tub

Hawaii for the Holidays

By on

How about Hawaii for the holidays? Warm sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, tropical warm weather? Snow is wonderful and makes for a beautiful winter wonderland, but warm weather and the pacific ocean just be what you need, especially if you live in the cold.

The Big Island of Hawaii did recently have quite the dropping of snow on Mauna Kea. Locals got their boogie boards, or snow boards if they have them and headed up to the Mauna Kea slope to enjoy the fresh powder. Surfing during sunrise and enjoying snow in the afternoon! So if you really need a little winter, the Big Island of Hawaii is producing it this year.

The Hawaiian Islands consist of eight islands. One of islands, Ni’ihau, is privately owned and considered the “forbidden island”, as no one is allowed to visit the island. Of the other seven islands, 4 of the islands contain the majority of the population of the Islands in totality, and are the most visited.

[Read more…] about Hawaii for the Holidays

Seasonal Vacation Costs Colorado

By on

mountain-vacation-coloradoHave you ever wondered how much the cost of a Colorado vacation changes, depending on the time of year your go? Whether you are looking for outdoor summer adventures, or prime winter conditions for epic skiing, the time you go can play a big role on the cost of lodging, other expenses, and avoiding the crowds.

Colorado is beautiful year round, but it is basically divided into two seasons. Warm – People can mountain bike, hike, fish, and raft, & Cold – ski, snowshoe, snowboard, and snowmobile. Depending on the season you prefer obviously makes a difference of when you travel. There are prime times of each season. The “warm season” exists from May to October, while the not so warm, “cold season” exists from November through March. During these times the most crowded traveled times will make everything a little more chaotic, from cost to getting a seat in a restaurant, to the amount of people on the mountain, sun or snow.

To avoid crowds and save a little on lodging, it is recommended to travel from March through May and September through November.

Most costly vacation rental time:

The week of Christmas and into the New Year, while kids are off from school, and paid vacations are used up, the week of Dec 22- Jan. 3 ten to one of the highest times of year. The other time span that is the costliest, is from mid June through September (Labor Day weekend). If you sneak snow, we recommend visiting the many places Colorado has to offer after the new year. The holidays have ended, kids must go back to school, and you will find a lot less of a crowd, and prices that 25-35% off the famous Christmas week. If you prefer the warmer months and summertime outdoor activities, we recommend mid April to the week before Memorial Day. Again, less crowds, and 25-40% off the cost of “season” lodging.

[Read more…] about Seasonal Vacation Costs Colorado

Plumbing Aware on Vacation

By on

Although when planning a vacation getaway that last thing you think about is any sort of plumbing or plumbing issue, you should put some consideration into it. Plumbing is a broad term, but can create a specific headache for a renter and property owner.The last thing you want to interrupt you while on vacation is big plumbing issue. There are some basic rules to follow to make sure you keep the plumbing of a home, condo, or hotel in good health.

We decided to sit down with Jason, a professional Tempe plumber, and have him cover some basic plumbing etiquette, whether your renting a vacation property from someone, or have your own property.   Avoid plumbing emergencies and expenses by keeping in mind a few things.

  • Never put anything that can not be thrown into the garbage, into the sinks or drains.
  • Do NOT flush ‘flushable wipes’. Seems simple, but when it says flushable wipes, you just automatically think to flush….but do not! Remind kids and teenagers not to either
  • Do NOT flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. Jason said just remember “if it’s not toilet paper, don’t flush.” The only think meant for the bathroom plumbing is good old toilet paper. That mean no sanitary products, paper towels (even if you run out of toilet paper), Q-tips, cotton balls, or anything else down the toilet.
  • Do not dispose of food pieces, coffee grinds, starches (potatoes, rice, bread, pasta), or egg shells down the garbage disposal.

Jason informed us that although some of this items may seem like a common sense, no brainer, they are the problem they often see when called out for plumbing issues. Jason informed us that it’s not just rental properties they find these problems with, but properties lived in with by the homeowners themselves. If property owners are not sure of what all is ok and not ok to put down sinks, toilets and drains, you better believe renters will make the same mistake. This can prove to be costly in the form of money and time.

Simply following some basic rules can really make a huge difference. When your vacationing with a whole family, or numerous other people, getting everyone to remember these simple guidelines can be difficult, especially for kids. Upon arriving to you vacation rental property, take a moment with all that is staying at the property and remind them of these basic plumbing practices. Read through the property orientation and rental guidelines to make sure that there is not any additional information to be aware of. Sometimes older properties will have more sensitive plumbing in comparison with other properties.

Although this all may seem silly, we suggest you google a few plumbing horror stories. It all seems forgettable and silly, unit it’s happened to you.

Again, let’s keep a few basic plumbing principles in mind at home and away from home, to ensure the health of them pipes!