There’s one thing that staying in a hotel often can’t provide: local color. When we travel, especially out of the country, we like to immerse ourselves in the native culture as much as possible. Why else do you think we have an entire room filled with turbans, babushkas and sombreros?
In order to really experience a city or country, we think it’s important to get into the residential neighborhoods, not just the touristy sections that are more like Disney-fied versions of the locale than reality. So, live like a local and book a vacation home.
A new travel site called VillaRental.com has just launched that makes finding a vacation property easier than ever. Narrow down with options like destination, number of bedrooms, price per night and specific features like beachfront, waterfront or pool included.
Best of all, you can select the type of vacation you’re looking for, whether it’s eco-friendly, pet-friendly or short-stay. There are even 74 villas internationally that are LGBT friendly or in LGBT friendly destinations.
Vacation villas are great when traveling with a group because they become exponentially more affordable and it’s fun to have everybody together.
Think of taking all your friends to Casa San Bernardo in Marbella, Spain (pictured above). It sleeps 14 people, comes with a private pool and most importantly, air conditioning. The rate in U.S. dollars starts at just $800 per night, depending on season. That’s just $57 per person per night to live like you’re the star of a Spanish soap opera.
There are thousands of villas available in dozens of countries, including the United States. The estate where Marilyn Monroe and JFK had their infamous affair? It’s available for $1,000/night and sleeps 14. The sex scandal you create here is limited only by your imagination.
Think outside the hotel box and venture into neighborhoods you might not ever see otherwise. Sure, they’re luxurious neighborhoods, but who wants to go out of town and stay among the poor people?
We’re gay, not Mother Teresa.
