MashaTravel

3 Top Credit Cards For Travel

When traveling, the major problem arises with money, especially when traveling abroad. Carrying cash in bulk is not an option and using credit cards is the only option laden with high percentage of interest. This has become a big head-ache for frequent travelers. Although the cheapest way to spend money abroad is to draw cash from ATM through Credit cards rather than debit cards but with high exchange rate you will not enjoy all the benefits, hence choosing the right credit card for travel is essential. Mentioned below are the top three credit cards:

1.    Chase Sapphire Preferred: This card charges $3,000 during the first three months but gets you 40,000 bonus points that can be exchanged for travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards programme or on a statement credit card. This is recommended for all travelers irrespective of the purpose, stay etc. You can gain great rewards and redeem those points and use them to get good discounts on flight charges or accommodation. This saves money not only on foreign exchange but also on other utilities. If you are a frequent traveler then this credit card is a “must have”.

2.    British Airways Credit Card: All the jet-setters can prefer this card. British Airways has collaborated with various American Airlines and made its 50,000 to 100,000-mile initial bonus attracting anyone who wants to save money on air tickets. So you can utilise this facility and save huge amounts on airfares. The initial 50,000 Avios miles that you receive can be exchanged for trans-Atlantic flight of one-round trip or cross-country domestic flights. However, the card holder has to pay an annual fee of $95 but don’t have to worry about the foreign transaction fee. This is the best alternatives for the travellers who are on the go.  

3.    Hilton HHonors Surpass Credit Card: This card delivers a combination of 60,000 points as initial bonus and with Hilton’s properties across the globe has made this card a great choice for those who look out for accommodations. This is recommended for people with “suite” tooth, as this caters the needs and gives good discounts for the card holders. You get 40,000 points at the time of purchase and the remaining 2,000 are added when you spend $3,000. Depending upon the hotel, you can get two-eight nights of free stay. It charges $75 for annual membership and 2.7% on foreign exchange.

There are other cards such as PenFed Platinum Rewards card, Capital One Venture card, Blue Cash Preferred card from American Express and so on. Depending upon your necessities and requirements you can opt for the best card. Ensure that your card gives you the best deals for good prices. This way you can enjoy the maximum benefits on your card. Never use your debit cards for shopping or any other purpose as this only adds weightage to the interest rate. Prefer credit cards that are designed for travel purpose only as you can enjoy good rewards and you have the option to redeem these rewards.

If you have taken payment protection insurance along with your credit card don’t forget to claim when you are eligible for it. To claim the amount faster and without any hassle take help from any PPI claims Management Company.

Although there are numerous credits card available on the market, choose wisely and act smart. This helps you to cut down huge amounts on your travel expenses. So pack your bags and get ready to experience a stress-free journey armed with your travel credit cards.

About the Author:

My name is Maria, a content writer from Manchester.  I am into Health, Travel, Technology, and Finance. You can follow me @financeport :)

The Mysterious Crying stone in western Province of Kenya

Europe is one of the most visited and fascinating places in the world. There are many tourist attraction sites to visit and spend time. Design a very good travel plan to cover all the places that interest you. Your holiday plan should be designed in a unique way such that it covers the expenses during the holiday. Europe is a captivating continent and should be experienced by everyone!
Here are the most delighting sites to be visited in Europe;

Switzerland
It’s popular for its natural beauty. It’s renowned for museums, lakes, The Alps and resorts. You should experience the natural breeze and lovely weather. The excursionist attractions include the Swiss national park, Geneva, St. Mortiz, The Rhine Falls and The Jungfrau Region etc.

London
It is the largest cosmopolitan city in Europe attracting nearly 14 million visitors globally each year. It’s enriched in several traits like food, fashion, entertainment, commerce, media and so on. The most enthralling sightseeing experiences are the British museum, Buckingham palace, Sea-life aquarium, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and many more gardens to spend the cool summer evenings.

Italy
It’s famous for its savouring Italian dishes. You will be amazed with the natural foliage there. A place which gives a great prominence to Heritage, Countryside and wildlife is Italy. Its traveller attractions include many castles, sea lochs, dining and escapades.

Rome
It evokes the illustrious Vatican City. The city of Rome has become a popular day tripper stop for its panoramic outlooks. The fascinations of Rome include the Museums, Cathedrals and fountains.
Apart from the above suggestions Paris, Amsterdam, Germany, Greece, Austria and Hungary are also popular cities in Europe.

How to afford and manage your trip;

     - There are many tourists’ packages available which offer trips to Europe. Several Airlines award great discounts on group voyages. You can book tickets at once utilising these offers.
     - It’s suggested to book the accommodation and car rentals in advance online to stay relieved from the burden of carrying extra cash and to benefit from discounts available.
     - In any trauma, opt for same day cash loans if you run short of funds as it serves your need within 24hours without any credit check and can be repaid when you receive your next pay cheque.

     - Tourists are advised to carry their medications along with them which will aid in emergencies. If you are covered under a health insurance policy, then it’s an added advantage as the medical indemnity covers all the major or minor losses during the course of the expedition.
    - Try to use debit/credit cards whenever needed as it’s not safe to carry huge amounts of loose change.
    - Interact with the co-travellers. This helps you in learning about areas of interest or local eateries, tips on how and where to stopover, the best deals for shopping and much more.
    - Take the help of a guide to know the significance of historical sites.
Ultimately, travel in the heart of Europe is simple and exciting when these tips are utilised. So, budget wisely and pack your bags for a fabulous trip to Europe. These above tips will help you to have a safe and blissful journey.

Author Bio: The guest post was contributed by Emily, financial guest blogger from Manchester, UK. Find out more about her finance and travel related blogs @financeport.

When trying to figure out where to go on a vacation, sometimes it is hard to determine where and how to start. It is not like you can just take out a amazingly crystal ball and see what your holiday will be like. It is always best to go at it being knowledgeable and having some information on locations to see and things you can do. Branson, Mo. can be one of the best locations to encounter with your household members members.

Entertainment: Branson has a variety of entertainment for you to select from. From musical festivals, golf action, to mid-day practice trips through the hill jungles, there are tons of activities that will satisfy your need for getting out and seeing something new. Examine out the Bandstand Cinema, Million Mountains Tennis Hotel, or Branson Train Trips. All locations are developed for your relaxation and entertainment, displaying you that popular southeast kindness.

The Excellent Outdoors: Being located in the Ozarks, you have many options of outside actions you can do. The elements in that place is usually very light and heated year long, so you do not have to fear about your programs being damaged much. Do look predictions before you strategy a day on one of the two significant ponds near Branson. But even outside hikes and equine pathway trips can be done in little rainfall. The ziplines in the the canopy of the jungles offer you with awesome opinions of the plants and center beating fun.

Theme Parks: When you listen to the terms “Theme Park”, pictures of circus trips and activities rush into activity in your thoughts. In Branson, there are several different types of areas have fun with. You have Gold Money Town, Branson’s most well known recreation area. Here you can drive more than 30 trips, eat food until you are prepared to fall, and discover many exclusive stores and crafters of the place. The Monitor is just that. A wonderful go-kart rushing track that is excellent fun for everyone members. And there are the waterparks for those hot times when the awesome water just seems incredible on your skin and revitalizes your exhausted body.

Museums: You would not think of museums as being an fascination value viewing a position for, but Branson has so many different types, you need to see them all. The Gone with the Wind flow art gallery requires you back into previous times when record was all guys and some women, farms and a different way of life. The Titanic ship art gallery is one of the best in the nation, presenting relics and collectibles from the remains and immortalizing all the affected individuals of that dreadful occasion in our record. Ripley’s Believe It or Not has an eye capturing developing that requires you off secure. Discover factors that seem too unusual to be actual and select for yourself if you think it is actual. And there is the Butterfly Place, a sunroom of types where you can walk amongst the appeal of characteristics as the seeing stars flutter around and landscapes blossom.

Shopping: Branson has several great purchasing zones for any kind of visitor looking to do a little surfing around. There are the very stylish locations at Branson Getting, the stores at the Huge Town Shops, the closeouts at the Store Shopping mall, and the exclusive one of a kind products at Gold Money Town.
 Leasing your personal cottage at Million Mountains places you very near to everything and assures you will have an awesome time with your family! Load up your bags!

Image By Amberley House Cottages

 A big holiday cottage almost sounds like a  contradiction in terms. Cottages have a reputation for   looking beautiful and quaint on the outside, but being  pokey and cramped on the inside.

 However, it is not always necessary to sacrifice  space for the sake of aesthetic beauty when you are  looking for a holiday cottage. There are certainly  some larger options available which still possess the  same charm and visual splendour as their more compact counterparts.

This article details a few key tips on ensuring that you are able to ascertain the proper size of an advertised cottage.

Appearances can be deceiving

When planning your break away, it is important to remember that appearances can be very deceiving in the case of the humble cottage. Although they always look idyllic and tranquil, cottages tend to give the impression of being extremely small when photographed to advertise for holiday lettings.

However, outside appearances are not always correct. What may look like a tiny, quaint building may in fact be a lot bigger than one might think – cottages have a reputation of being an almost Tardis like structure; a lot bigger on the inside than they look from the outside.

This is why it is important to request floor plans or room size information when looking for a big holiday cottage. This is a far more accurate means to ascertain the true size a property when first impressions can be so misleading and unreliable.

More bedrooms do not always mean a bigger cottage

The second key issue to keep in mind is that the number of bedrooms is not always a reliable indicator of the size of a cottage. For instance, in most thatched cottages the roof space is converted into a number of bedrooms – this can often range from one bedroom through to three or even four. Clearly, one large bedroom may be preferably to four far smaller ones depending on the needs of your booking party.

Think about design as well as size

When searching for a big cottage, it is also important to consider how the property is laid out. This is particularly important in relation to the ground floor where the communal facilities are likely to be contained – often a dining room or second reception room may have been sacrificed in order to provide an additional bedroom.Clearly this is something you need to consider when booking for a large number of people; in some cases two sharing a room might be preferable to a lack of entertaining space in the evening.

Summary
If you need a big holiday cottage, make sure that you are not deceived by misleading first impressions. Attaining a copy of the floor plan is the best way to ensure that what you eventually end up booking meets your requirements and allows for all the quaint experience of a cottage holiday with all the room you and your fellow guests need.


Author Bio:

Kate Smith has a good understanding of the tourism industry as a whole and prefers writing on relating areas. Big holiday cottages in Sussex were the topic of many of his articles.

Vacationing in Myrtle Beach is a complete delight. Why? Well 14 million visitors a year can’t be wrong, and they keep coming back, year after year. The great thing is, there is so much to do in Myrtle Beach. If the weather is good, which it is most of the time, there’s the beach, the ocean, the inland waterways and many outdoor attractions such as the Sky Wheel, which, by the way, is an absolute “must”. In the rare case of inclement weather, there’s a whole 60 miles of coastline to explore that’s filled with hundreds of attractions that have been created with the vacationer in mind.

Outdoor activities at Myrtle Beach include deep sea, pier and fresh water fishing in the local rivers and creeks. There are banana boats that the whole family can enjoy a thrill ride on, jet skis to hire, parasailing, surfing and wind surfing. One of the most popular of outdoor activities in America is golf, and the 60 miles of the Grand Strand has no less than 100 golf courses, many of which are of championship status. There are some challenging rounds to be played on courses that have been designed to be environmentally friendly by such well known names as Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Many of the hotels in Myrtle Beach associated with Vacation Myrtle Beach, such as Captain’s Quarters, offer golf packages that are well worth taking a look at.

Accommodation in Myrtle Beach is not lacking. Close to the town center and scattered along the Strand are numerous high rise hotels and family-friendly Myrtle Beach resorts. There are condos a plenty, motels, vacation homes, villas and the dozen camping grounds offer more than 7,000 camping sites. With 60 miles to accommodate them, cuisine in Myrtle Beach is catered for by more than 1,500 bistros, steak houses, fast food outlets and fine food restaurants. You’ll find that every conceivable taste is catered for from succulent steaks to some of the best seafood restaurants on the east coast.

One center worth mentioning is Broadway at the Beach, a $250-million strip mall that is a collection of shops, hotels, theaters and entertainment places that are clustered around a 23 acre lake. Ripley’s Aquarium is one of these attractions, and claims to be South Carolina’s most visited tourist attraction. You’ll also find the Pavilion Nostalgia Park and Carousel Park here – this features traditional amusement park rides including a classic carousel and there is a 100-year old German funfair organ. Alongside Broadway at the Beach are the Myrtle Waves Waterpark, a 20-acre park with more than 30 water rides and slides, and the Family Kingdom Amusement Park. The NASCAR Speedpark is in the same Myrtle Beach locality, with seven car tracks, a climbing wall and a 20,000 sq. ft. video arcade.

This is just a taste of the many attractions of Myrtle Beach. If you happen to be staying at any of the Vacation Myrtle Beach resorts it’s worth knowing that when you register you’ll be handed a VMB Card that entitles you to discounts at nearly all of the city’s main attractions, many of its eateries and vehicle rental establishments.

Budapest is a majestic city, split in two by the incredible River Danube. One half, Buda, is a classic mix of medieval architecture and beautiful sights, and the other half, Pest is the more lively modern side. Both parts of the great city prove an excellent place to visit and the city buzzes with excellent things to do and see. The top 10 things to do when you visit the city are as follows.

1. Take a trip to St Stephen’s Basilica. It was built between 1851 and 1905 and is a huge parish church which can accommodate a total of 8500 people. Inside there are beautiful statues as well as a magnificent, 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome.

2. Take a boat trip. As the River Danube is so striking this is one of the top things to try when you’re in the city- you can sit back on deck with a glass of wine and admire the beautiful sights of the Hungarian capital. You can either go on a public river cruise or rent a private boat, and with a private boat there are often additional extras like a lunch buffet, live body tables and belly dancers.

3. In summer eat at an outdoor café. Since Budapest has a consistently decent climate springtime and summertime are both glorious. The agreeable summer in the city is usually warm, sunny and long. Sit at an outdoor café and relax as you watch Hungarian life go by.

4. Take a ride on the Budapest beer bicycle. This is a great option if you’re looking for something a bit different to do on your trip. The bicycle itself is a huge carriage with 14 seats which allows you and your guests to sit and marvel the beautiful streets and open squares of the city, while drinking beer.

5. Go to the thermal baths. One of the top experiences in Budapest is the thermal baths, which are naturally hot due to the underground geothermal activity. The city is known as The City of Healing Waters because the water in the thermal baths has medicinal qualities. There are also saunas and steam rooms.

6. Embrace the nightlife. Budapest has one of Europe’s best nightlife scenes with each street turning up another hidden gem. Take a trip to Morrison’s Music Pub for some cheesy music underground in the cellar, or head to Liszt Ferenc square which is full of great, busy bars.

7. Go to Faust Wine Cellar. The oldest wine cellar in Budapest provides a traditional, wine-scented atmosphere and an excellent range of drinks. Sit at the quaint tables and taste a selection of first-rate wines.
8. Try the fiery goulash soup. It’s authentic Hungarian food at its very best, their spicy goulash is thoroughly delicious and a must-try if you’re holidaying there. It’s packed with beef, Hungarian paprika and chilli to truly set your mouth on fire.

9. Go to Buda Castle. The castle is huge, towering over the city, and is beautifully built. It was destroyed by a fire in World War II but the 13th-century palace was rebuilt with modern interiors while keeping the hidden walls and medieval structures which stayed hidden over the centuries. The views from the castle are also breathtaking, as well as the Castle’s grounds.

10. Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion. This beautiful bastion features Disney-esque turrets and pointed towers and is perfect for a picture opportunity. It was built during the 19th century for Hungarian Millennium celebrations and you can eat the top of the hill as well while looking over Pest.

That’s the top 10 but there are many other options for things to do in Budapest so no matter what you decide to do you’re sure to have a great time.

This is a guest post written by Gen from StagWeb. Visit their website to book your Budapest stag Weekend. 

If you’re not quite ready to begin your college years, taking a break may be a good way to clear your head and sharpen your focus. There are a lot of beautiful places to see in this world, but of all your choices, taking a gap year in South Africa may be your best. South Africa is full of amazing sites and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, some of which you’ll read about here.

Tee it Up

The country of South Africa has some of the planet’s best golf courses, all of which are surprisingly affordable. Nowhere else can you play 18 holes alongside ostriches and crocodiles! If you don’t want to spend all your time on the course, many of South Africa’s golf resorts have opulent spa facilities.



Ride an Ostrich

In this dry area of South Africa, you can try your hand at riding one of these gangly flightless birds. There are countless ostrich farms in the semi-desert area of Oudtshoorn, and if you’re feeling super-confident, you can even race on an ostrich! Once you’re done for the day, you can dine on delicious ostrich-containing dishes such as pate or biltong.


Sleep in a Tree House

Gap year lodging in a tree house is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. There are several choices, such as Teniqua Treetops, Sycamore Avenue, and Pezulu Tree House Game Lodge. All tree house lodging will allow you to get back to nature, and perhaps come face-to-face with a giraffe.


Surf the South African Coastline

The coast of South Africa is dotted with bays and points, and as all surfers know, they make great places to catch a few waves. The quality of surf depends heavily on swell size and wind direction, and for that very reason, the Cape Peninsula provides great surfing opportunities every day of the year. Don’t just hit the Cape, though- South Africa is home to plenty of other great spots.


Hike on the Wild Coast

The Eastern Cape Region is one of the most isolated and beautiful regions on earth, and much of it can only be accessed on foot. A hike here will allow you to see pristine beaches, forests, rivers and waterfalls; it will also allow you to learn more about indigenous cultures such as the Xhosa.


Soak up the Luxury

As a tourist destination, South Africa is ideally suited to pamper guests. Most small hotels and game lodges offer some spa amenities, some in beautiful outdoor settings. The spas are so nice there, you may not be able to tear yourself away for the next game tour!

Get Close to the Wildlife

There’s a small public area at Boulders Beach near Cape Town, separated by a fence from the resident colony of penguins. The birds largely ignore the fence, though, and are likely to come up to you freely. There is also a boardwalk around the dunes, so visitors can observe the entire colony. More adventurous types can try cage-diving with great white sharks. This is a relatively new sport in South Africa, and there are several tour companies offering cage-diving packages.


Ride the Rails

Before finishing in South Africa, there are several train rides you should consider. The most well-known is the Blue Train, which has a route between Pretoria and Cape Town. One way, the journey is 27 hours, but that time will be spent in luxury while you enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Blue Train

Take a River Ride

Canoeing and rafting is best during the spring (which lasts from the middle of August to the middle of September), when the desert areas around the rivers come alive in colorful wildflower blooms. Take a trip down the Orange River, which starts in the Drakensberg Mountains and makes its way toward the Atlantic. There are many tour companies offering canoeing and rafting expeditions down the Orange river, most operating out of Richtersveld National Park.

South Africa has a lot of amazing sights to see and great things to do, but you don’t have to end your adventure there. After you’ve had your African adventure, continue your gap year in Sri Lanka and India, then move on to other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia. Enjoying your year before college in this part of the world is an experience you will never forget!

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Sport Lived who can help students and young people choose a gap year holiday in South Africa or  Sri Lanka

Although Chicago may not have all of the chic, city-slick attitude of New York or the quintessentially cool vibe of Los Angeles, there is one thing that Chicago does better than all the rest – food. Visitors to the city may be familiar with the pizza or hot dogs, but the best grub that Chicago has to offer is the imaginative, fresh cuisine that pours from the city's best fine-dining restaurants and tapas bars. In addition to great food, Chicago also offers unparalleled unique wines and beers at specialized bars that can cure even the most fervent foodie's addiction. So if you have had enough of architecture tours and baseball parks, then take some time off to enjoy the cuisine scene of Chicago.

Fine dining restaurants always conjure up a fearsome image of an immense stretch of forks and knives and crystal goblets, but many of the best restauranteurs know how to do it differently. For example, the geniuses behind Tru and Everest have created fantastic French-fusion menus that flow seamlessly from the modern to the classic. The service is impeccable, the plating gorgeous and the wine lists will change your world. NoMi, the world-class establishment located in the upper floors of the Hyatt on Michigan Avenue, makes homemade new American dishes with a little bit of European flair in addition to offering beautiful views of downtown Chi-town. Last but not least, make a reservation at Alinea for the final word in innovative foods. At any of these restaurants, you don't even have to make a choice for dinner, just sit back and allow the amazing staff to bring delectable dishes to your table.

The first time that I visited Chicago, I was completely blown away by the wine lists that even the blandest restaurants have. After all, who would have that the Midwest would have a great appreciation for fine wines? But boy do they ever. Chicagoans don't just limit their palates to wines however. Beers and cocktails are also held in high regard and many bars specialize in creative pairings. For wine bars, hit up avec, Rootstock and the Purple Pig. Every one of these has a selection of wine that is breathtaking in both the spectrum and versatility. They also don't mess around when it comes to their menus with new items that cater to every taste. Hopleaf Bar has a crazy selection of both tap and bottled beers while Goose Island Brewing allows tours of their brewery. For cocktails, try the Aviary, an amazing lounge that combines the best from the minds of Alinea and Next.

Finally, this list wouldn't be complete without attempting to answer that most difficult question: who has the best pizza in the city? Everyone disagrees and many have tried to give a definitive answer, but it's sadly impossible. There are just too many great pizzerias. The ones that have my vote are Pat's on Lincoln, Pequod's Pizzeria and Lou Malnati's, but visitors will have to make up their own minds. For all that Chicago has to offer, this list just barely scrapes the surface, but touring the food of the city is an essential part of any visit.

Written by the Marketing Department for car accident lawyer, Paul E. Lee

The tales of America’s Old West are full of accounts of hardship and heroism, and none hold the fascination of tragedy more than the story of the ill-fated Donner Party.

A true “perfect storm” of events doomed the wagon train of 87 people that pulled out of Springfield, IL, in April 1846 with such high hopes.  By the time the group had rolled across the plains and through the Rocky Mountains on their way to California, events had conspired to turn the hopeful start of a new life into a catastrophe.

California’s Donner Memorial State Park, north of Lake Tahoe, is situated at the exact spot where many of the members of the Donner Party lost their lives.  The Emigrant Trail Museum, the Pioneer Monument, and the various cabin sites all hold testimony to what the members of the Donner Party endured during the harsh winter of 1846-1847.

The Donner Party wagon train had moved along well enough until taking an ill-advised shortcut that turned out to be a disastrous decision. Among other things the “shortcut” took the pioneers across the Great Salt Lake Desert, where many wagons, horses, and cattle were lost.

The final insult was ending up at the Sierra Nevada Mountains too late in the season to make it safely through the range.  Here they were trapped by unrelenting winter snows that covered the ground at an astonishing 22 feet, effectively eliminating any chance of finding fresh game and ultimately forcing the Donner Party to resort to cannibalism.

The Pioneer Monument at the Donner Memorial State Park is constructed near the original Donner Party cabin sites. It was dedicated in 1918 in a ceremony that included Donner Party survivors. The top of the shaft of the Monument is 22 feet, giving visitors a dramatic idea of how much snow the emigrants faced that winter.

The Emigrant Pioneer Museum exhibits artifacts not only of the Donner Party, but also relating to the area’s local Native Americans, particularly the Washoe Tribe, as well as the builders of the Transcontinental Railroad. Special campfire presentations on the fascinating history of the Donner Party and other pioneer emigrants who came through the area are conducted by State Park rangers.

Cabin Sites. One of the Donner Party cabins was built against a large granite boulder. Today this boulder, the  Murphy cabin site, is 200 yards from the Museum, and is where four families crammed into a small space and attempted to make it through the winter.

Another cabin site, known as the Schallenberger  Cabin site, is where a small cabin was built by three men in 1844. Moses Schallenberger and his companions were members of the Stephens-Townsend Party, the first pioneers to take wagons over the Sierra Nevada, opening the Truckee Route of the California Trail. Two years later members of the Donner Party were able to make use of the then abandoned cabin.

Besides a National Historical Site, the Donner Memorial State Park is also a beautiful State Park for enjoying the great outdoors. Recreational opportunities abound, including fishing and boating on Donner Lake. The Lakeshore Interpretive Trail is a 2.5-mile round trip hike that passes by eighteen interpretive trail markers and exhibits of the history of the pioneer emigration to California, as well as explanations of the area’s geology and ecology.


Camping sites are available in and around the State Park. Budget-friendly  timeshare rentals are also available on both the North and South shores of nearby Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America.

Alice Perkins is a timeshare travel blogger for RedWeek.com, the largest online market place for timeshare rentals, where vacationers can find luxury accommodations for less than the cost of a typical hotel room.