April 30th, 2009 by Joseph
We received an overwhelming positive response to our summer travel tips.Here is more information:
Book Your Airline Tickets Now: Yes, I know, there are last-minute fares, however, do you really desire to risk your summer vacation on a last-minute sale assuming flights to your destination of choice? Of course not.
Alternate Airport - Domestic: Consider an “Alternate Airport” for your destination. For example San Francisco (SFO) is always popular and congested, consider Oakland (OAK). In New York City, while LaGuardia is the most convenient, discount airline, Jet Blue uses Kennedy (JFK) as its hub. Most booking engines i.e. Expedia, Orbitz, Kayak will allow you to request alternate airport as a search option.
Alternate Airport - Europe: Alternate airports in Europe have become popular with discount airlines such as Ryan Air and others. Usually catering to inter-Europe flights, the flight costs can be much cheaper. However, check options for transportation between the alternate airports and city-center/tourist destinations.
Arrive 3 Hours Prior: OK, I am guilty of not following this advice (what’s worse, I use a Clear Card to lessen my time at the airport, however, I fly monthly). For vacation travelers, consider getting to the airport 3 hours prior to flight time, espically for midday flights. This will give you ample time to 1) park the car, 2) check baggage, 3) check-in and get seat assignments (assuming you did not follow my advice to check in 24 hours prior via the computer), 4) relax, slow-down and maybe. Just maybe lessen the stress of summer airport congestion.
Remember 3-1-1: TSA regulations limit the amount of gels and liquids passengers can take through security in their carry-on luggage to travel-size toiletries of three (3) ounces or less that fit comfortably in one (1) quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag and the one (1) bag per passenger must be placed in the screening bin. Most stores sell the 1 quart plastic bags. Be sure to pack a few extra for the return trip i.e. I had a container of lotion leak in my bag and good luck trying to find a quart-sized plastic bag in a metric oriented destination.
April 29th, 2009 by Mark
 One of the clear benefits of the Global Bundle is the opportunity to work with the most elite and successful websites out there for targeting affluent clientele. LuxuryRealEstate.com (LRE) is a famed site, known for their exclusive network of brokers called the “Who’s Who of Luxury Real Estate”.
LRE is the most viewed luxury real estate site in the world with over 187,000 monthly visits and with an audience representing an average household income of $368,571. They are building a luxury vacation rentals segment exclusively for Global Bundle properties, and we are very proud to be working with LRE to provide homeowners and managers the opportunity to advertise on their renowned website.
Check out their media kit for more facts and stats.
April 29th, 2009 by Mark
 How to write a compelling property description:
Make sure to include key words that people will be searching for. As an example, if your property is not located in the most popular destination or is not directly next to a famous attraction, but it is in close proximity, provide these destinations or attractions in your description with drive time or miles away so that your property is picked up in the most likely searches.
See the description written for Fox Valley at the Raven as a great example. It is located in Silverthorne, CO, but is a close drive away from the best ski resorts and activities in Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone.
For more on how to construct the perfect description, our distribution partner, HomeAway, does a wonderful job providing further tips. Check out this article for more on writing a description or browse through many other listing tips here.
April 22nd, 2009 by Joseph
 The answer truly depends on destination and demand. However, in general, the summer travel season is from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. From discussions with our managers, we find June to be the least expensive period. July is the mid-point concerning cost and in general, August is the most expensive and in demand.
We find August is most in demand as children are home from summer camp, parents want to have one last getaway and August is when many have vacation time from work. BTW: During August, our European counterparts are known to take the month off and escape the cities for the countryside or the beach.
April 21st, 2009 by Mike
It’s spring time: It’s a time for growth, a time for rebirth and a time for change and that’s exactly what is happening at The Society. Over the past 12 months TheSociety.com has been working alone driving traffic and inquiries to our property owners and managers. It’s a difficult marketplace and we’ve come together with some powerful companies to help expand the awareness and interest in luxury vacation rentals and villas.
Introducing the new Global Bundle product. With one profile on The Society you get access to
- The Finest Luxury Websites
- The Most Dominant Vacation Rental Marketplaces and
- The Most Popular Social Media Sites
So get a SNEAK PEAK at the presentation below.
The Luxury Websites include:
- LuxuryRealEstate.com
- RobbReportCollection.com and VacationHomesMag.com
- DuPontRegistry.com
- LuxuryTravelMagazine.com
- TheSociety.com
The Vacation Rental Marketplaces include
- HomeAway.com
- Holiday-Rentals.co.uk
- GreatRentals.com
- A1Rentals.com
- CyberRentals.com
- Craigslist (up to 5 cities)
Social Media Sites include
- Facebook Page
- Twitter Updates
- LinkedIn Groups
It’s an amazing online marketing solution for all luxury vacation rentals. There is no need to spend any money on online advertising again (of course, you should still manage your PPC campaigns).
Sign up today. Contact The Society at info@thesociety.com or call 866-789-8222×4.
April 21st, 2009 by Joseph
Our cities are some of the most enjoyable places to vacation. I am hearing of families who are considering summer vacations in cities to explore history, ancestry and in many situations supplement their children’s education. May we suggest the following:
Washington DC: The nations capitol, always popular, consider an urban vacation and add a few days in the countryside or waterfront of Maryland or Virginia. Even better, head down to Colonial Williamsburg and immerse yourself in history. Please call for inventory and availability.
New York City: One of the most popular destinations year-round. Stay in one of our apartments in midtown or downtown, and then consider a retreat to the beach or the country.
Denver: The ultimate cosmopolitan city known as the “Queen of the Plains”. Spend a few days in Denver and then travel west to the majestic Rockies, the towns of Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen and Steamboat are all within 3.5 hours of downtown Denver.
Miami: In summer, are we nuts? No, less crowds, off-season pricing, the same ocean, vibrant art scene and day trips to the Keys for some fresh-caught seafood.
Boston: Where history comes alive. Spend some time in Boston and then head north into New England and enjoy the spectacular landscapes and enchanting evenings.
San Francisco: While no one can definitively attest Mark Twain ever said: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”, be prepared for cool foggy days off the bay. For some sunshine, take a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County, the sun will take the chill away immediately.
April 21st, 2009 by Joseph
 As the economy continues to waiver, our clients continually desire to pursue the most cost-effective vacation opportunities, this is one of the main reasons a vacation home rental is chosen, the inherent value and cost savings are impressive.
Many in the travel industry predict “drive-time market” vacations will gain in popularity as mentioned in the last newsletter. “Drive-time” is usually 300 to 600 miles from one’s home, distance which can be covered in one day i.e. no overnight stay en route.
While there is no hard and fast rule when comparing car versus flights, a few tips to consider and assist in your calculations:
Destination: Is a car needed at the destination? If a family is traveling to one of our urban destinations such as New York or San Francisco, the cost to park the car daily would not be cost-effective. In such a situation, flying is the best option.
Cost of Air: Routes with competition will have the lowest airfares due to competition. We usually suggest if possible flying on Wednesdays which is historically the least expensive day to travel.
Making the Drive Interesting: While GPS and programs such as Mapquest have replaced the AAATripTik, the major advantage of the TripTik is advising of interesting stops en-route. For example, we recently booked a client from New Mexico who will be driving to Vail, CO. for a one week visit in a mountainside home with a private pool. We suggested a stop in Denver for the children including visits to the US Mint, The Museum of Nature and Science and the Aquarium before heading west into the mountains. OK, we also suggested a stop at the Loop Railroad in Georgetown.
April 15th, 2009 by Joseph
 We all read the daily headlines concerning the issues of the economy. While many of us have cut-back and we know others who have lost their jobs, we tend to forget about still others who we may not know, who need our assistance.
During periods of economic expansion, charities usually have increased donations while demand for their services stays flat. During economic downturns, charities are literally hit twice, first a reduction in charitable donations and second, an increase demand for their services. It is a most troubling trend and one that is most severe this season as the recession has literally gripped the country and the world.
One of the ideas behind VacationHomesforCharity.org was to put to good use an unused asset. For many, their vacation homes are vacant the vast majority of the year. We at VacationHomesforCharity.org felt such vacancy could 1) generate revenues for charities and 2) provide vacation homeowners a venue to “give back” without signing a check. It is a win-win for all participants.
The following note was sent by one of our vacation home donors:
“We are not wealthy, our vacation home was an inheritance and to be honest we rarely use it as it is 2,000 miles from our home. It is vacant most of the year. When a friend mentioned “VacationHomesforCharity.org”, I was intrigued to be able to use our vacation home for a good cause. As mentioned, we are not wealthy and our incomes limit the amount we can provide to our favorite charities. Yet, to be able to “donate” our home for a one week vacation was do-able. We have satisfaction that our vacation home is being put to good use and may make a difference for a charitable organization.”
April 14th, 2009 by Joseph
While charitable needs are year round, fundraising events usually occur during the Spring and Fall months, when travel is at a minimum. Our April is becoming the busiest month to date for VacationHomesforCharity.org. April’s scheduled events include:
 April 24 (Friday): The Osteogenesis Inperfecta Foundation annual fundraising event is held in New York at #5 Times Square literally above the famous ball which descends on New Year’s Eve. Guests will enjoy hors d’ oeuvres prior to their visit to Broadway to view Billy Elliot The Musical.
The highlight of the pre-theater reception will be a live auction conducted by Ms. Robin Wright of Sotheby’s Auction House for a one week stay at a vacation home designed by one of New York’s premier architects in the prestigious vacation community of East Hampton, New York coordinated by VacationHomesForCharity.org.
April 24: On the same night on the West Coast, Women of Vision presents Share the Light 2009 ~ Spring Benefit Auction and Dinner to Benefit Children Around the World. The event, hosted at the Governor Hotel in downtown Portland hopes to entice over 350 guests to join for an evening of dinner and exciting silent and live auctions.
 April 27: Three nights later in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, the 4th annual Spring Soirée will be held at Restaurant 4580 benefiting teens living at Attention Homes. With our economy slumping, families are struggling and the number of teens needing our help has increased. Each of our programs, Broadway House and Chase House, is providing our at-risk boys and girls a safe home, counseling and therapy, life skills lessons, and access to education and employment. Both programs are at or near capacity. The highlight of the evening will be the auction for a stay at beautiful “Seaspray” in Manasota Key, Florida. The home’s name is most fitting with its beachfront location on the Gulf of Mexico. Manasota Key is due west of Port Charlotte, about 75 miles directly south of Tampa.
We do have charitable events scheduled throughout the year and demand for vacation homes for charity continues to exceed supply. Isn’t it time to “Do Good With Your Vacation Home”?
April 10th, 2009 by Joseph
The Historic Horse Race Celebrating the Culture and Ancient Traditions of Siena, Italy
Week of June 27 – July 4, 2009 and August 15 – August 22, 2009
For all you equestrian devotees, the Palio experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the excitement of this historic horse race while residing in a luxury villa in the Tuscany countryside of Italy. We at The Society are promoting this most unique opportunity available on a first-come/first-serve basis.
In addition to the villas below which will host 4 -14 guests, all packages includes:
- Welcome basket at the villa upon arrival
- Seating for the Prova Generale (horse race rehearsal) on July 1 or August 14
- Seating to the Dinner in the Contrades* on July 1 or August 14
- Seating in a private residence for the Palio Horse Race on July 2 or August 15
*The Contrades is an invitation only dinner where thousands of members and supporters of each of the Contrade (Siena neighborhoods) will dine al fresco in their neighborhood streets or piazzas. Between the wine, the food and the friendly atmosphere, you will feel like a local and be embraced by your new friends, all with an interest in horses.
All Villas linked below are rented on a weekly basis i.e. Saturday to Saturday, prices are based on “per person” for the whole week (please note rates in USD$ or EuroE):
La Bianca: $2,310pp/week based on 4 guests
La Sassaia: $2,205pp/week based on 8 guests
La Guardia: E1,840pp/week based on 8 guests
Il Roseto: $2,730pp/week based on 12 guests
Canneto: E1,295pp/week based on 12 guests
Geggianello: E2,100pp/week based on 12 guests
Poggetto: $2,415pp/week based on 14 guests
When reviewing the villas below, for those who have watched the most recent James Bond film, The Quantum of Solace, you may recognize some of the villas. Thus, if you wish to “live like Bond”, the following is available for additional cost:
For additional information, please contact Joseph at Joseph@thesociety.com
|
Press RSS feed.
