Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 51)
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Traveling to Miami? These are the top things to do
Planning to escape the cold and head to Miami in the next few months? There are many reasons why Miami is a great choice for couples, solo travelers and families, and there really is something here for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to Maimi, here are some of the best things to do:
Visit South Beach
One of the best ways to see Miami is by car, since it gives you the freedom to switch between city and beach whenever you like. Vehicle rental in Miami is super affordable, and public transport isn’t the greatest so it simply makes sense to hire a car. South Beach is a must if you’re planning to spend any time in Miami, and no visit here is complete without spending some time shopping, partying, or just frolicking in the waves in South Beach.
Hit up the zoo
Zoo Miami is one of the most well-known zoos in the country right now, and it’s easy to see why. The exhibits are cage-free, and the climate in Miami allows a wide variety of animals to live here, from Africa, Australia, and Asia. Zoo Miami is an active leader in a number of global environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives, and this is quite simply a great day out- especially if you’re travelling with kids.
Visit the Jungle
Monkey Jungle is found in southern Miami, and this park is truly unique. You’ll walk along a number of wire pathways, while a huge variety of primates swing through the trees and scamper above you. This is an immersive experience, and you’ll get to see these animals interacting with each other in a way you wouldn’t simply watching them in a cage.
Shop on Lincoln Road
This complex was designed by Morris Lapidus, one of Miami’s most well-known architects in the 1950s, and it’s still hugely popular today. Now, it’s lined with restaurants, shops, and venus for culture and art. If you choose car rental in Miami you can easily spend a whole day here, whether you plan to have something to eat, window shop, or spend up a storm.
Check out the design district
The Design District was once just for designers and decorators, but it’s now a hub for trendy architecture, art, and fashion. Even if you don’t feel like shopping, you can enjoy the free museums and galleries here.
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Fun hobbies for women in 2019
Are you bored with the status quo? Ready to try something new and different? Maybe you’ve found yourself Googling best motorcycle helmets for women, or you’ve always wanted to learn to ski? Or maybe you’re looking for a fun hobby but you don’t know what that is yet. Whatever the case, we’ve got some great new hobbies for you to try in 2019:
Pole dancing
How do pole dancers make it look so easy when it’s really so challenging? Don’t get put off by the challenge though ladies, it’s well worth it when you manage to master a new trick or two. Pole dancing is for women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and skill level, so do yourself a favor and sign up for a trial class- we’ll be pretty surprised if you don’t get addicted.
Cooking
I see you rolling your eyes. But so many people can barely scrape together a meal, and all they need is to learn a few basic skills before their passion for food will take over. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own pasta, or you’d really like to be the queen of desserts, there are plenty of great cooking classes out there to help you learn the skills you need.
Motorcycling
Have you always secretly wanted to own a motorcycle? Maybe you find yourself looking at cheap motorcycle helmets in your spare time? This can be a safe, fun, and rewarding hobby, and owning a motorcycle isn’t as expensive as you might think- with Honda bike parts available online, and plenty of websites devoted to all the gear you might need for your new hobby. If you’ve always wanted to own a motorcycle, don’t let fear hold you back. Make 2019 the year you finally do it.
Coding
Ok, so this may seem like a head-scratcher because coding seems like a lot of work right? Well… sure. But it can also be super fun- especially when you start to see all of your coding come to life. Now is definitely the time to get into it, especially since you can start it as a hobby, continue it as a side hustle, and end up making some serious money if you choose to go freelance or start your own business.
There are tons of free resources online, so give it a go. If you like it, there are plenty of great courses and boot camps developed specifically to teach women to code.
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What Are The Top Spanish Destinations for 2019?
Spain offers its visitors a host of options for memorable holidays in 2019, so much so that you may be struggling to decide where to go. Be sure to find the best options for villas in Spain before you head out, so you can live a life of luxury without breaking the bank too. If you are still unsure about where to head, read below to get an idea of the top destinations, and what they offer.
Ibiza
Ibiza is the perfect option for those who want the best of both worlds, offering a superb nightlife with world-famous clubs hosting acclaimed DJs throughout the summer months. The beaches are beautiful, and, surprising to some, it’s also a family-friendly destination. From boat trips to water parks, and jeep safaris and bustling markets, this hub of the Balearic Islands is certainly a must for party animals and adventurers alike.
Granada
Located near the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is world renowned for the beautiful palace fort that dominates the landscape. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and unsurprisingly sees visitors from all over the world visit to take in the stunning architecture on a sunny day. There is the added bonus of Granada being a University town, meaning there is a lively nightlife you can enjoy. Be sure to claim your free tapas with every drink, which is an essential part of Spanish culture. What better way to feel like a local?
Barcelona
Barcelona’s architecture is another must-see for anybody wanting to discover the best sights of Spain. Sagrada Familia, constructed in the 1800s, offers a stunning example of Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture and is nestled right in the heart of Barcelona.
The city’s unique road system is a sight to behold, and Gaudi’s architecture can be seen in other parts of the city as well as his world famous unfinished church. The striking Gaudi park, or Park Güell, is sure to satisfy budding architects and novices alike, making Barcelona a top destination in Spain. Don’t miss the Picasso Museum, and head to Las Ramblas, the city’s famous, partly pedestrianised boulevard, for a memorable night out. Shop, eat, drink and dance the night away after a day of exploring this vibrant city.
Seville
Seville is perhaps best known for offering the finest glimpse of Flamenco. This traditional form of Spanish folk music is instantly recognisable, and can be enjoyed at the Muestra de Flamenco del Teatro Central, or perhaps the Bienal de Flamenco, or in a local theatre. The Real Alcàzar de Sevilla should be given your time so that you can take in the palace in all its glory, from the finite details to the exquisite gardens. This romantic city hosts many festivals and fiestas and offers awe-inspiring attractions all year round.
Valencia
For a mix of science and culture, be sure to add Valencia to your list. This port city, located in the South East, plays host to futuristic structures such as the aquarium, or L’Oceanografic, and the magnificent City of Arts and Sciences. This complex offers visitors cultural and scientific discovery in the heart of Valencia and holds festivals regularly. Valencia Cathedral is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and can be enjoyed in all its splendour along with an ice cream in the bustling Plaça de l’Almoina.
Mallorca
Mallorca is another top location in Spain that offers visitors the best of both worlds. The Moorish Almudaina royal palace and Santa Maria cathedral can offer a touch of culture to your trip, and spend the rest of your time exploring the sheltered coves, magnificent beaches and impressive mountains. If this isn’t enough to satisfy, the nightlife in Capital Palma can make your trip even more memorable. Enjoy a range of festivals in the summer including La Patrona Festival, or perhaps the Sa Rua Carnival for those visiting in February, wanting to escape a harsh winter at home.
Madrid
When comprising a list of the top destinations in Spain to discover, one that cannot be forgotten is Madrid. The Spanish capital city, Madrid offers a flavour of Spain to suit every holidaymaker. The Royal Palace of Madrid and the Plaza Mayor are perfect locations for a walk around. Football fanatics can explore the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, which plays host to the Real Madrid football team with a staggering capacity of 81,000.
Offering magnificent sights and attractions all over the country, a trip to Spain should certainly be on your to-do list for 2019. This list should hopefully narrow down your options, so you find the perfect destination and make your holiday one to remember for years to come.
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How to become a digital nomad?
With so many apps and technologies that make staying connected wherever you are easy, it’s not surprising that remote work is becoming increasingly popular with employers and workers alike. For employers, it helps to reduce running costs while retaining top performing employees, and workers enjoy the freedom to manage their own schedule, avoid rush hour traffic and make better use of their most productive times without the distractions of a busy office.
Digital nomads take this trend one step further. Either working for a fulltime employer, striking out on their own as a freelancer or running their own venture, they throw travel into the mix – moving where and when they choose while using the web to work and make money. For those whose biggest passion has always been travel, it’s an awesome combination! Like every lifestyle choice, being a digital nomad has its downsides too – and whether it will make a good fit for you is something only you can answer.
Understand the drawbacks:
Most digital nomads don’t have a long-term contract with a fulltime employer, and that means they usually don’t enjoy the protections that come with a salaried position at an office. There’s a great deal more uncertainty, as work can dry up at any moment, clients might fail to pay on time, and the location you’ve researched might turn out not to have all the facilities they promised. And while it might look like an endless vacation from the outside, you still have to meet all your deadlines, be available during your employer’s office hours, and basically get the job done.
You’re also bound to feel a little isolated with your friends, family, pets and familiar surroundings back home so far away. But if you’re willing to risk some stability, comfort and certainty for a life that lets you see the world, meet new people, expand your horizons and experience something new every day, then it might just be the change you’ve been craving.
How to get started
There are no rules when it comes to being a digital nomad, that’s one of the things that makes it so appealing. If you want to take on only the minimum amount of work to keep you solvent while spending most of your time enjoying the location you’re in at the time, that’s fine. If you want to stay in one place building up your business for several weeks, go for it. One thing you do absolutely need, of course, is a way to make money!
Make a list of the talents you have that translate well to remote work. Get inspiration from people who’ve made the transition successfully. From consulting to creative work, tutoring individual students or putting together your own online courses, blogging and creating YouTube videos, running an online store or becoming an affiliate, to offering marketing services or working as a virtual assistant – or combining several of these skills – the possibilities are there. Investigate the industries that appeal to you and find out how much scope there is.
Start a side gig, or speak to your employer about starting to work remotely
If you want to keep the job you already have, it’s a good idea to introduce your employer to the idea gradually. You could start working from home just a few days a week, so you can prove to them that your productivity will be improved, not hampered, and that you’ll still always be available and easily reachable when they need you. If you intend to strike out on your own, then you best get your side hustle on before you hand in that resignation letter!
Shortlist dream destinations
To start off with, you’ll need to limit your travel horizons to what you can afford, and where you can get reliable internet access or cell reception. Many digital nomads have a final destination in mind and spend several months moving gradually towards it before deciding on their next location. Sometimes they fall in love with a place so much, they end up staying! If you’d like to make hunting out the perfect spot to retire part of your journey, then throw in some destinations that would make good options for this. Mauritius immigration requirements, for example, are particularly attractive to successful digital nomads, and who wouldn’t want to retire in paradise?
Lose the baggage, get out of debt, start small and dream big!
Digital nomads travel light. Often this means shrinking your worldly belongings down to what fits in a camper van or even a backpack – leaving anything else in storage or letting it go altogether. It’s also very unwise to try and transition to this kind of lifestyle if you’re in debt, as a fluctuating income will make it very difficult to stay on top of payments. Saving up money for emergencies and unexpected costs like broken laptops is a great idea too. With all those boxes ticked, it’s time to take a deep breath, step outside your comfort zone, and turn life into an adventure!
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5 Hidden Gems in Niagara Falls
While Niagara Falls often markets itself as a bastion of natural beauty, the city next to the falls is relatively well-developed for tourism. There, you can find tens of hotel-resorts and hundreds of B&Bs, family-friendly restaurants galore and must-see attractions by the dozen. Due to this, many travelers are turned off, despite the undeniable uniqueness of the falls and the magnificence of the surrounding wilderness.
The truth is, you can find authentic travel experiences everywhere — even in Niagara Falls. Here are a few hidden gems in and around Niagara Falls, nestled amidst the hokey tourist stuff.
Niagara Boat Cruise
Admittedly, this Niagara Falls adventure isn’t hidden; in fact, it is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in the entire area. Still, you shouldn’t skip a boat cruise to the falls just because everyone is doing it. This is a secret gem because it truly is a magical and thrilling experience that you definitely need to do.
There are two cruises to choose from: Hornblower on the Canadian side and Maid of the Mist on the American side. Regardless of which you choose, you will undoubtedly feel exhilarated by being so close to the thundering waters and feeling their mist on your skin. There are different cruise options — with different pricing levels — so you can choose your precise experience, but you should book in advance because spots fill up fast.
Whirlpool Aero Car
While you can catch jaw-dropping views of the waterfalls just steps from the hotels in Niagara Falls, Canada, you might want to venture deeper into the Niagara Gorge to explore the rapids and whirlpool of the Niagara River. There are a few walks and hikes that get you right next to the action, but for a heart-stopping experience, you need to book a ride on the Aero Car. Built in 1916 (and well-maintained since) the car is suspended above the churning water, so you can get a birds-eye view into the giant whirlpool itself. It’s a short ride, but the pictures and stories you’ll tell will make it worth your time.
Niagara Falls History
Niagara Falls has attracted visitors for millennia. First, the native peoples of the continent determined the falls to be sacred; then, critical battles were fought between British, American and French forces on fields nearby. Later, the city was deemed the most romantic place on Earth. You can learn more about Niagara Falls history by visiting the history museum as well as a number of historic sites, such as:
- Lundy’s Lane. Here, one of the most significant battles of the War of 1812 was fought. On site, there is a museum that was once a hotel, where you can learn more about the battle and war.
- Old Fort Eerie. Even if military history isn’t your thing, Fort Eerie is an important landmark to visit. Like Lundy’s Lane, this fort was critical during the War of 1812 and contains many fascinating scars of its use.
- Heritage Railway Station. This historic railway station stands beautiful and stalwart. Most importantly, this was a final stop for slaves fleeing on the underground railroad, who found freedom in Niagara Falls.
- Toronto Power Generating Station. The most revolutionary hydroelectric facility of its time, this station was first built in 1906. You can visit the original building, which boasts gorgeous design even if the machinery has since been updated.
Niagara Tesla Monuments
Likely, you know a bit about Nikola Tesla — the genius inventor and engineer who famously fought with Thomas Edison about electricity. However, you probably don’t know about all the work Tesla did in and around Niagara Falls. Though New York City was undoubtedly his home, Tesla’s greatest achievement remains in Niagara: the world’s first hydroelectric power plant. Indeed, it is thanks in large part to Tesla that many areas utilize natural energy, like water, wind and sunlight, for power today.
As a result, Niagara Falls happily commemorates Tesla’s work with two monuments: one for each side of the falls. You can find Canada’s statue of Tesla standing atop AC motors in Queen Victoria Park. America’s Tesla statue overlooks the American falls, so you can’t miss it if you venture to outlooks along the U.S. border.
Screaming Tunnel
Finally, for a less historic and more folkloric experience, you must take a journey to the screaming tunnel. Among the most haunted places in all of Canada, the tunnel allows for pedestrian traffic beneath what was once a railway line. It is said that if you visit the tunnel at night and light a match off the tunnel wall, you will hear a girl’s piercing scream. This is because stories say a girl died in the tunnel, burned to death for a now unknown reason — perhaps she was running from a house fire, perhaps she was murdered by a spurned lover, rapist or abusive father. Perhaps you can ask her about her fate herself during your visit.
You can find the tunnel near Niagara-on-the-Lake, which offers some additional fun attractions, like wineries and boutique shops.
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Top 5 Best Hen Party Destinations Abroad
It seems that traditional boozy hen parties might have had their day. Those three or five nights, spent in an alcoholic fog in a foreign land, and the ‘hope no-one took a picture on THAT night’ party spirit, may be in decline. Especially for those special, pre-wedding hen parties.
Nowadays, the more discerning hen-parties are choosing classy hen weekends abroad. Planning to cram every experience they can, into their once in a lifetime hen party. Consider this small selection of some of the best hen party destinations abroad.
Cape Town, South Africa
A great way to break up winter in the northern hemisphere is to head south. Cape Town has it all when it comes to celebrating the luxury hen weekend abroad. Attractions you’ll not see anywhere else such as Table Mountain, penguins or Great Whites. You can get out on a day safari, and get up close to Africa’s fabulous wildlife.
In the evenings get you dancing shoes on, and head for New Club Wonderland, on Buitenkant Street on a Friday or Saturday night. Enjoy a cocktail at Bree Street’s Arcade Café, very popular with the locals. Or enjoy a view across the city from the Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar on Longmarket Street.
Hong Kong
If you’re looking for one of those never-to-be-forgotten luxury hen weekends abroad, Hong Kong could be for you. Take a trip on the historic Star Ferry, between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central Chai. Take the Peak Tram to the Island’s highest point, for some stunning views 1300 feet above sea level. Visit the Temple Street Night Market, and soak up the atmosphere of an Asian street market which has stood the test of time.
Let’s not forget the party scene either. At Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong’s premier nightspot, locals, expats and visitors party the night away in the over ninety bars and restaurants along the strip.
Singapore
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do and see in Singapore. Merlion Park is a must visit, as are the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, for fantastic views across Singapore’s iconic skyline. If cuisine with a local twist is your thing, grab a cab to Chinatown and Little India.
Take a trip out of the city, and visit old Singaporean villages that have changed little in over sixty years and sample the street food. For Singapore nightlife, visit the famous Raffles Hotel for a pink gin, or Clarke Quay for its international restaurants and bars, and some serious people watching.
Melbourne, Australia
If coffee is your thing, Melbourne makes some of the best coffee in the world. Cafe tours around Melbourne would make a great hen activity during the day. It is also as famous for its street art. Designated streets literally full of the most fantastic forms of street art, which changes on a regular basis. Once you’ve strolled the byways and alleyways of the city, there is a lot of fun activities await you.
Take a beer tour through Yarra Valley, a horseback riding tour on the Gunnamatta Trail, or get a different perspective from the River Yarra by taking a private luxury cruise. Your private hens party cruise in the city of Melbourne will provide a completely different view of this most beautiful city. Luxuriously equipped, and capable of carrying fifty plus passengers, your hens party cruises in Melbourne can be booked during the day or at night, and from a few hours to the whole evening.
Wellington, New Zealand
Sitting on the southern tip of North Island, this capital city is a great place to enjoy an arty experience. Famous for great casual dining, strong coffee and local beers, it’s an awesome venue for a different, more laid back hen party.
The national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa is one of the must visits. You can check out some of many other museums and galleries in Wellington, or hit the great outdoors if mountain biking, walking or water sports are your thing. Getting a panoramic view of the city and harbour at the Mount Victoria Lookout is also something you shouldn’t miss.
In the evenings enjoy fine dining in the many restaurants, or stroll the night markets, sample the street food, and enjoy New Zealand wines and beers in the local bars.
Wherever you are, if you’re thinking of hen weekend destinations abroad, take an extra few days off, and make it a real hen party to remember.
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Dallas Travel Guide: Expert tips for your Dallas trip
Dallas, nicknamed “The Big D”, is known for offering great arts and culture, a wide range of cuisines, and plenty of activities to keep you busy, all of which make the perfect getaway. From free amusement parks for kids to a wide range of entertainment places for a fun night out, to some of the best dining scenes for lovers, the Big D has something for everyone. Here are a few tips for your next BIG trip to Dallas:
Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area
Dallas is located in the centre of the US, and in Texan tax breaks. Both of these features make it the leading corporate destination in the country. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area houses 22 Fortune 500 companies. And, the area’s economy is mainly based on technology, banking, healthcare and medical research, telecommunications, transportation and logistics, energy, and commerce. This is the ideal destination for a business trip.
Steakhouses
For a long time now, Dallas has been known as a land of steakhouses. While there are several mouth-watering cuisines in the city, steakhouses are still at the heart of Dallas’ dining scene. No one can deny the appeal of a perfectly grilled prime beef. Ranging from old-school traditional steakhouses to modern, chic versions, the city offers something for everyone. Have an elevated dining experience at the Crowne Plaza Dallas downtown hotel and fulfill your meat-obsessed dreams.
NorthPark Center and Galleria Dallas
With several malls and districts to shop from, Dallas offers an exceptional shopping landscape. If you are in need of some high-fashion, luxury shopping, visit the NorthPark Center. It has several department stores and over 200 shops. Relax and dine in some of the best restaurants surrounded by unique landscaping. Its world-class sculpture and award-winning architecture makes it ideal for art enthusiasts. With over 200 shops & boutiques, as well as restaurants, the Galleria Dallas offers another great shopping destination. It also offers plenty to do and see, including a full-sized ice-skating rink, glass vaulted ceiling, and an adjoining hotel.
Sports
Dallas is home to six professional sports teams, including the MLB’s Texas Rangers, NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Wings, NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, soccer’s FC Dallas, and NHL’s Dallas Stars. You are bound to find fans cheering for their teams. Join in on the fun at any of the city’s many sports hangouts. And, don’t forget to take a trip to the Cowboys stadium in nearby Arlington.
Arts District
High culture can be found in downtown Dallas thanks to the Arts District. The district is considered the largest urban entertainment district in the US. There you’ll find superb performance venues, including three world-class museums, the Winspear Opera House, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, the Klyde Warren Park, the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater. This makes the Big D the perfect destination for arts and culture lovers.
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Essential Travel Photography Kit: Pack Your Bags With This Lightweight Camera Gear
Travel photographers know the difficulty of weighing up quality kit with the challenge of lugging it around the world. Here’s how to travel light.
Travelling and photography are a match made in heaven. Not only do you get to explore the world, but you can also capture those memories to enjoy for a lifetime. Perhaps the only challenge associated with travel photography is selecting the right gear to accompany you halfway around the world. Portability is a key requirement whether you’re heading to the Grand Canyon or Antarctica. Luckily, there’s a wide range of cameras and photography accessories for you to consider when you’re packing your bags.
Cameras
Let’s start with the obvious – the type of camera to take with you. The travel camera market is bulging at the moment, with photographers looking for a device more sophisticated than a smartphone, but not as bulky as most DSLRs. The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 is likely the most advanced travel model available in 2018, with its 24-360mm lens and a 15x optical zoom. It’s also capable of shooting 4k video making this a very handy addition to your backpack. For a little more scope, you might choose a bridge camera such as the Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV which will give you all the functionality of a DSLR but it’s suitable for travel as it only uses a single lens. The huge range of this lens allows you to capture everything from landscapes to tightly-framed wildlife photos.
Weather Protection
Depending on where you’re heading, you may need to prepare for strong weather conditions and be aware how they might affect your equipment. You may have come across the term ‘weather-sealed’ when purchasing some of your kit, but it’s important to note this doesn’t translate as meaning ‘waterproof’. If you’re wanting to shoot in wet weather conditions, then take along a camera hood to slip over the body of your camera so you can keep snapping even in the midst of a storm.
Filters
This piece of kit also relates to the weather, and exposure to strong light. Just as you would protect your eyes, it’s important to shield your lenses from the great outdoors. UV filters are good for blocking strong sunlight, as well as preventing dust and other outdoor debris from reaching the coating on your lens. Neutral density filters are a great way to extend the number of daylight hours you can shoot in each day, whilst polarising filters are essential in removing sun glares from your shots.
Portable Tripod
The size of tripod you’ll want to take with you on your trip is dependent on the type of shots you’re expecting to take. If you know that you’ll be capturing scenic vistas, skylines or close-up wildlife images, then you’ll likely want to bring a full-sized tripod with you, but if space and weight is a problem, then there are plenty of compact travel-sized tripods available. Aluminium tripods tend to be the cheapest, but some other excellent options include the GorillaPod or the carbon fibre MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon C2350Q2T.
Of course, if you’re not already fully kitted out with travel photography gear, then the cost of all the above may seem daunting. However, to help offset the cost, you could trade in your current equipment on a reputable ‘sell my camera’ site to get you started.
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Things You Should Know When Renting Out Your Second Home
Are you thinking of turning your second home into a rental property? Having a hard time covering two mortgages? Did you realize your home is in a tourist “hotspot”? Maybe you’re just looking for a way to generate additional income for your family? Whatever reason you’ve decided to turn your second home into a vacation rental property, if you do it right you stand to reap a lot of benefits. Before advertising your property for rent and waiting for tenants to fill out applications, there are a few things you should know to make the process as smooth as possible.
Maintenance and Repairs
Before renting out your vacation home you need to make the necessary changes. Completing maintenance and repair jobs around the property is imperative in making tenants comfortable. Some, depending on the damage to the property, may be required before you can allow others to occupy the space. Make sure that everything is up to code and in order for the safety of the tenants and protection of yourself.
Cleaning
After you’ve made sure the home’s structure, systems, and appliances are all in working order, you need to clean up. Tenants aren’t going to want to stay in a place that is a mess. You can either hire a professional cleaning service to do this for you or do it yourself. Pay close attention to common areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Mop floors, have the carpets cleaned, wash down walls if necessary, and simply tidy everything up.
Furnish Your Home
Unlike general rental properties where tenants would bring their furnishing with them, a vacation rental is different. Tenants expect to move into a place that they can begin using right away. They anticipate all the amenities they might receive at a hotel including a fully furnished house, appliances, and other amenities like a pool, hot tub, spa, video games, etc for their entertainment and use.
Protect Your Asset
Now that your property is a vacation rental home, you’ll need to get new insurance coverage. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover vacation rentals. You’ll need to find out what type of property insurance you need to secure. As a bonus, it may also be ideal to mandate that your tenants also acquire insurance. You can even provide a list of renters insurance quotes to make the process easier.
Advertise
Now you’re ready to begin advertising your second home as a vacation rental. You can post it both on rental and vacation rental sites for maximum responses. Not only do you need to be detailed about how much the rental costs, when the property is available, and what it looks like, but you also need to provide pictures. Pictures allow renters to get an idea of what the property looks like, paying a visit and often draws more attention.
Screen Tenants
Though they may not stay in your home for years, they will be renting out the unit for several weeks or months at a time. You should definitely be aware of who will be in the home. Set up a screening process for tenants that includes checking past rental or mortgage history and their criminal and financial background.
Don’t Forget the Lease
You should never rent out your vacation home without a rental agreement. Within that agreement, be sure to spell out all the rules and regulations. It should also include the rental rate, what’s included in that rate, responsibilities of the tenant, and responsibilities of the landlord. Be sure to have the tenant review and sign the lease before providing them with a key.
There’s a lot you need to know if you’re going to be a landlord. Turning your second home into a vacation rental can help you pay off that second mortgage, pay down debts, live a lavish life, or even save for the future. The trick is to make sure that you’ve taken all the proper steps to provide a safe and decent environment for your tenants to reside in. From there, careful management and strict rental policies are all that’s needed for the money to start rolling in.
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Driving safety tips: 5 things you should never do while driving
Driving can be dangerous, we really take out lives into our own hands everytime we get into the car. In 2015 it was reported that there were 6.3 million crashes in the US alone, many with fatalities. You can make it safer, though, just by putting some thought into the way that you behave behind the wheel. Here are some things that you should never do while driving to stop you getting distracted.
- Have an emotional phone conversation
You might not be driving down the roads I identified as the most dangerous in Ireland but however relatively safe you feel your route is, your mind needs to be focused on the road ahead of you. An emotional conversation will distract you, so it is much better to wait until you get to where you are going before you let those feelings pour out.
- Drink Alcohol
Drinking behind the wheel or even being behind the wheel when you have a certain level of alcohol in your bloodstream is illegal, do it and you are likely to need a Texas Super Lawyer to mediate on your behalf with the authorities. There is no getting away from the fact that drink does impair your judgment, even having a small amount of alcohol could cause you to take risks on the road that you usually wouldn’t and cause you to react slower to events on the road. Just don’t do it.
- Get Dressed
Never ever get dressed behind the wheel. That moment when you pull your top over your face, you won’t be able to see the road, or when you bend to fasten up your boots you are not concentrating on what’s ahead. Trust me, it only takes a split second for an accident to happen. Don’t risk being distracted.
- Lean over to reach something
Again, lean over to reach something and you are likely taking your eyes off the road. Safe driving guidelines always tell you that you have to be able to anticipate the road ahead at all times so that you can react as circumstances change. Take your eyes off of the road and you are impairing your ability to do this. Ask someone to pass something to you if you really need it or pull over and retrieve it safely.
- Discipline your Children
We’ve all been there when you are on a long journey and the kids are driving you mad, it’s so easy to lay into them. However, think about it from a safety point of view. While you are shouting and nagging your children are you really 100% focused on the road ahead? The answer is most probably no, when we are having difficult conversations it is super hard to maintain concentration on another task. We all know that discipline does need to happen, but maybe you should tell the kids to be quiet as you need to concentrate on driving and that you will speak to them when you reach your destination.
The trick to staying safe on the roads is to maintain your concentration and focus on the events that are unfolding in front of your eyes. It is when you become distracted that you can fail to react. Get rid of as many distractions as you can to increase your safety.
