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Even though everyone’s plans for this year have changed due to COVID-19, it doesn’t mean that you have to give them up completely. Vacations seem like something that belongs to another reality, but the thing is – you can still have your perfect vacation this year, if only you’re ready to compromise. Crowded beaches and exotic destinations might not be an option right now, but you can still enjoy some time off, especially if you manage to find the perfect rental to spend your vacation in. Here’s how you can do it:
Be smart about your budget
If you really want to stay in an over-the-top, luxurious place, go for it; otherwise, think about the things you have to have, and the things that would be nice to have but which aren’t essential. There’s no need to overspend on things you won’t be using anyway, but on the other hand, you don’t want to stay in a shed just to save a couple of dollars. A big TV is a good thing to have if you’re going to spend time watching it, and if you dream of sipping wine on a beautiful garden terrace – by all means, look for a place that has one, price be damned.
Make detailed plans
If you’re one of those people who like to follow their intuition and don’t want to plan every hour of every day they spend on vacation, that’s great – you won’t have to do it that way anyway. What we would advise you to do is to make a list of things you would like to do on your vacation so that you can see how much time you’ll likely be spending in your rental. If you’re planning to swim, hike, cycle, run, and sightsee as much as you can, you don’t need an entire house for yourself; but if you and your family are planning on having barbecues and spend time indoors, you should look for something bigger. Knowing these things will help you plan your budget and pick the right place.
Choose the right time
The general rule of thumb when you’re looking to rent a studio apartment is to book as early as you can. This is because rentals operate a bit differently from hotels and airfare, and there’s virtually no point in waiting to book a “hot spot.” If you can plan a year in advance, do it, and then book your place of choice, especially if you’re looking into popular tourist destinations. There are times when the supply greatly outstrips the demand and results in discounts, but you shouldn’t rely on that alone.
Keep an open mind
For most people, looking for the perfect spot means going “hunting” on social media or just clicking on the first link on Google. However, there are many different ways you can find the right accommodation for you if only you know where and how to look. Don’t be scared to spend a bit more time on Google and compare prices: the properties may be listed on different websites and platforms with different prices, and if you do some comparing, you will quickly find the most affordable one for you. Don’t be scared to deviate from good old websites such as Airbnb – Triping.com, TripAdvisor, and even Glampinghub.com have amazing listings and incredible offers, so you should take time to look there too.
Stay safe
This doesn’t mean just asking for a formal lease agreement (remember that such an agreement should clearly lay out all the terms of the rental), but to be careful with deposits, too. Some places are looking for payments upfront, but you can try negotiating a 50% deposit, with the rest of the amount due when you arrive. Don’t forget to read the fine print and it’s advisable that you bring a copy with you when checking in. In this time of pandemic, though, this also means that you should respect social distance rules, always wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and wash your hands often.
Finding the perfect vacation rental doesn’t have to be mission impossible, but you should do your research and be cautious when booking a place for yourself. We have all found ourselves in a strange situation, and everyone should try to stay as responsible as possible if we want our lives to get back to normal. When planning your vacation, take into consideration the fact that many countries have a ban on travel, and you might not want to test your luck by flying long distances either.
