This year we were honored with the title of ‘Best Website to Get the Skinny on a Vacation Rental’ in Travel + Leisure’s annual ranking of Top Travel Websites. This title can be attributed to lots of hard work from our team at FlipKey as well as our ever growing database of over 100,000 verified guest reviews by the people who have ‘been there, done that.’ Our collection of traveler testaments are indeed proving to be an incredibly valuable and essential tool for other travelers as they plan their future trips both near and far.

Here are some winter festivals to help heat up the upcoming long, chilly, winter months ahead:

Festival Name: New Year’s Eve in Times Square

Where: New York City

When: December 31^st, 3 p.m.

While New Year’s Eve is  celebrated throughout the world, New York City hosts one of the largest parties to ring in the new calendar loud and proud. Roughly one million visitors gather for New Years Eve in Times Square every year, where they listen to live music, watch the ball drop at midnight and give kisses to loved ones while a ton (literally) of confetti flutters about.

New Year’s Eve in Times Square began in 1904 when the New York Times moved to Times Square and wanted to celebrate the completion of the Times Tower.  With fireworks blazing and excitement buzzing, the first New Year’s Eve was a wild success.  In 1907 the fireworks were banned, thus the birth of the brightly lit ball that drops from 1 Times Square at 11:59 every December 31^st. Recently the ball was replaced with a Waterford Crystal ball that is twice the size and creates 16 different colors, turning the building into a colorful, glowing kaleidoscope.

With stations like MTV and ABC airing the festivities, people from around the world tune into to celebrate the ball drop.  Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve show has been a staple in this American celebration.  Since 1972 he has hosted live coverage of the party in Times Square, with various musicians helping him rock in the New Year.  In recent years Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Fergie and Lenny Kravitz have been featured on Clark’s show, performing their music and giving commentary.  Even past presidents turn out to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square, with Bill and Hilary Clinton hitting the button to drop the ball at the 2009 celebration. The festivities are so elaborate that it’s hard not to get excited about the things to come and say goodbye to things past.

What: Sundance Film Festival

Where: Park City, Utah

When: January 21-31

The Sundance Film Festival has become one of the most prestigious film events in the world.  With major celebrities attending the festival ranging from Spike Lee to Uma Thurman and Paris Hilton to Russel Simmons, it’s possible you’ll rub shoulders with the best and the brightest of Hollywood.

In fact, it is the largest independent cinema festival in the U.S., allowing smaller yet talented filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work. The Sundance Film Festival was born in 1978 when Robert Redford, a Utah resident, decided to shed a national light on the importance of independent American films while allowing filmmakers to compete. The festival has been a wild success ever since with many films and directors ricocheting into mass appeal due to the festival.  Movies such as Garden State, Motorcycle Diaries, sex, lies, and videtape, Donnie Darko, and Clerks have all gained cult following while directors such as Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson and Jim Jarmusch have gone on to direct major box office hits.

Tickets to this season’s Sundance Film Festival are hot, but starting today you can have a chance to score one of the remaining tickets by heading here where you can purchase a festival pass or individual movie tickets.  No doubt the after parties will be hopping too, but you’ll have to cozy up to Uma to get the invite.

As an American student studying in abroad without any previous experience in Spanish, I traveled to Barcelona to take Spanish and International Business classes. I took an intensive Spanish class, and lived in an apartment in the middle of the city. For me to get by it was necessary to communicate in Spanish. Living in an apartment in the middle of the city was a superb way to force myself to use the language. This rapidly increased my Spanish speaking skills and a couple months into the program, I felt confident getting around the city. Many of these language centers offer similar accommodations and others that engross the students into the culture of choice. Staying with a family in a homestay is an excellent way for students to comprehend the idiosyncrasies of the daily life of a certain country. Going to class and following the curriculum is only half the experience, but submerging yourself into the everyday lives of those around enhances the experience greatly.

With so many options around the world, finding the right language program and accommodation can be overwhelming. At LanguageInternational.com, over 150 schools are consolidated in one user friendly site that allows users to easily compare program prices. And at FlipKey.com, you can easily find accommodations and also read their reviews. When it comes to learning a new language abroad, it is no exaggeration to say the world is at your fingertips.

Who designed the house?

“Michael Poirier, his work has been featured in magazines and journals internationally, including Architectural Record, GA Houses, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.”

Where did you get the inspiration to build such an exotic home?

“I have always loved modern architecture.  In L.A., I live in a mid-century modern home I called The Strawberry House, which is also a design-centered home.  My partner has always loved my L.A. home as well and so it was obvious that it would be the only way we would build.

Although it is exotic and unique for the area, it was also designed specifically to work for that particular environment in regards to air flow, rain management etc.”

What are some highlights of the property?

It’s steps away from the beach –that’s the biggest highlight. J Other highlights include the overall modern design, the floor to ceiling glass, the infinity pool, the wood ceiling in the master bedroom, the volleyball court, the kitchen that faces the ocean so you can watch the waves as you cook, and the fantastic local art.  In general, we are also trying to make it as sustainable as possible.  My girlfriend owns a small non-profit called Green Wave, through which we have implemented some environmental policies and she is working with our on-site manager on the development of many more.  Also through Green Wave, we are supporting other Costa Rican non-profit groups and schools.

What is your favorite aspect of the home?

I like how the whole house opens to the ocean; it makes me feel I within an arm’s reach away from the waves at all times (and we practically are).

What attracted you to Costa Rica? And why Santa Teresa?

I was attracted to Costa Rica because of the long standing stable government and country with no army as well as the emphasis on education. We fell in love with Santa Teresa for the beaches, the surfing and especially our niche in Playa Hermosa- the overall undeveloped aspect of the area which makes it quiet and private.

What are your favorite things to do in the area?

Surfing! I also love cooking so I like to go to Honey’s organic market on Saturday’s, Product C for fish and the new Natura Mia for healthy food. There are amazing restaurants in the area one of the closest, Tres, has the most amazing coffee and they serve great raw food.  I also like visiting the art gallery, ‘Inspiracion’ and as well as the RainSong Animal Sanctuary.

What is the best season to visit?

There are only two seasons in Costa Rica: wet and dry.  Dry season is the most popular running from about November to the beginning of May. I actually like going down in the rainy season though.  There are less people, its greener and I think the rain storms that only sweep through are fantastic.

1. Gulf Coast of Florida: It’s no wonder why Florida’s Gulf Coast is a consistently popular place to vacation.  Famed for its iridescent beaches and a whole host of activities ranging from surfing and sun bathing to hiking and shopping, this is a fabulous spot for any group.

2. Outer Banks, North Carolina: These charming barrier islands draw a strong interest, and for good reason too.  With hoards of light houses, sleepy towns and feral ponies running wild, the Outer Banks make for an ideal family vacation.  Cape Hatteras is ideal for the adventurer, with its Diamond Shoals- the site of many demised ships. The snorkeling and scuba diving here are limitless.

3. Florida Keys: This chain of islands, which at the southern most tip reaches a mere 90 miles from Cuba, has an enticing laid back culture.  Key West is one of the most attractive islands here, with Duval Street maintaining the heartbeat in this eclectic island.  With Ernest Hemingway’s seven-toed cats running around the island, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in the allure of the island.

4. Disney- Orlando, Florida: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto…where else but Disney?  Considered one of “the most magical places on earth”, Disney is a must for any child, regardless of age.  With numerous theme parks in the area as well as some of the best dining in Orlando, a trip to this central Floridian city is sure to please everyone in the family.

5. Paris, France:  Paris, the magnanimous capitol of France, serves as a cultural and financial leader in Europe while remaining one of the most visited cities in the world.  With a vast array of activities to tempt unsuspecting visitors, like strolling the Seine River, taking in the awe inspiring stained glass of Notre-Dame, or feasting on the delicacies that each quaint café has to offer, Paris certainly lives up to its reputation.

6. Oregon Coast: The Oregon Coast, stretching for over 350 miles, is a delightful treat for any sun-seeking family.  With the entire coast remaining public domain, there is endless opportunity for hiking, fishing, swimming, even just relaxing on the beach while seals frolic in the Pacific.

7. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Gatlinburg serves as a doorway to some of Tennessee’s most spectacular natural sights.  With the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge lapping at the outer skirts, Gatlinburg offers plenty of activities for the adventurous family including the tram that floats above the majestic Smoky Mountains.

8. Kauai, Hawaii: With its lush, diverse tropical beauty and its brilliant ability to withstand any major resorts, Kauai remains as one of the most sought after Hawaiian Islands to visit.  With the dense jade green rainforest in the interior and the crystal blue ocean lapping at the sandy white shores, Kauai’s immaculate natural beauty is worth the trip.

9. Maui, Hawaii:  Maui, the sister island to Kauai, has its own unique vibe that attracts its own breed of Hawaiian travelers.  With three volcanoes, some of which are still active, Maui beckons to be explored.  Take an early morning hike up the Kaleakala volcano for an unrivaled glimpse of what has often been called the most beautiful sunrise in the world.  Or spend the day sipping Mai Tais on the black sand beaches of Hana.

10. Aspen, Colorado:  With winter fast approaching and many ski resorts opening their chair lifts already, it’s no surprise that Aspen comes in at our number 10 vacation destination.  This city, which at its heart is a quaint ski town, has experienced a transformation over the past decade.  The contrasting dualities of the town make it one of the most exciting places to visit, plus the excess of fresh powder makes Aspen/Snowmass one of the best places to ski in the world.

Traveling to the grocery store with kids can seem overwhelming to many parents, so they can’t imagine traveling internationally.  But it is an experience that brings families closer together and gives them memories to last a lifetime.  The key to making it a great trip is lots of forethought and careful planning.   As producer of the television series Travel With Kids, I have had plenty of opportunities to create excellent family vacations to exotic locales.  So, I have put together a list to help you avoid the pitfalls of family vacations gone wrong.

1.  Where to go? Decide where to go as a family.  You may have ideas on your dream vacation, but giving the kids some input, even if it’s just deciding between two places you’d be happy to visit, makes them feel invested in the trip.  Take into consideration what the kids are interested in or what they are learning about in school.  If you have an animal lover, a snorkel adventure or a trip that involves hiking and animal spotting may be in order.  If your child is learning about the ancient civilizations, a trip to Mexico’s Mayan pyramids helps history come alive.  Don’t rule some place out just because other people say, “I would never bring my kids there.”  Everybody is different.  We (and our kids) have enjoyed many destinations that were typically “adult vacations”…like Paris and Peru.

2. Go Now! They are never too young to travel and you will be amazed at what they retain! Our kids still talk about places we visited years ago.  If you keep putting off going some place, it may be a pitiful remnant of what is once was.  A wise man once said, “There’s no time like the present.” In family travel this is truer than ever, as the kids get older and have more on their plates, you’ll find it harder and harder to get away. Plus, younger kids still have the active imaginations to make castles and pyramids come to life affording parents a fresh perspective and enthusiasm.

3. A Family that Learns Together. Don’t be frightened by the unknown.  There’s no greater gift you can give your child than letting them see you learn.  Showing them by example the steps it takes to learn about a new culture or language, try something new, maybe fail a little, but continue to persevere and find a passion for it, is one of the best lessons you can give your child.

And speaking of lessons, think about taking your trip during the school year.  Going outside of summer often means it’s slow season, which means lower rates and more local flavor.  If your child will be missing school, ask the teachers about getting class work to take on the road and sending in roving reports.  With digital technology and the Internet, it’s like the whole class gets to go along for the journey.  Plus, many teachers will give your child credit for their extra work.

4.  Trip Before the Trip. Once you’ve decided where to go research the destination together by watching films on the destination or ones just filmed there.  Nothing beats watching Jack Sparrow teeter along the ruins of Port Royal to get your kids excited for a trip to Jamaica.  Or watch a travel documentary on the place or read a book about it together.  Combining all this into a family night is a great way to get everyone excited. Our Travel With Kids DVDs always include movie and book recommendations as well as recipes and crafts related to the destination to make a great family night!

5. Where to stay? First let me say…it’s as true in hotels as it is in real estate…location, location, location.  You don’t want to stay in a place where you have to hop a half-hour bus every time you want to go to the beach or into town.  So, think about how you will be spending the bulk of your vacation time and choose a location that will flow with that.  Staying in the “old quarter” of town or in real neighborhoods (versus at a large chain resort) provides a more authentic journey into a country, which is one reason I like to check out vacation rentals.

Vacation rentals can make vacation a home away from home.  There’s plenty of room for the whole family to spread out.  There’s a kitchen for either snacks or full-blown meals making traveling with a picky eater a breeze. Vacation rentals are also often in resident neighborhoods making it easy to befriend locals and get the insider scoop on the destination.

6.  Pack it up! Packing is the next big worry for any traveling parent.  My first advice…don’t stress.  Remember, they have kids in foreign countries too.  So, if you forget some essential, chances are you can buy it on the road.  Of course there are certain exceptions to this rule like prescriptions, video tapes and DVDs… But as for the necessities, we’ve found diapers and baby food in even the most remote markets.  And toys, well if worse comes to worst take a hint from the locals….we never knew how great a handful of stones could be until we watched a group of kids playing with them out the window in Asia.  Next, remember to pack light.  You can always do laundry along the way.  So pack half of what you think you’ll need.  Third, involve your kids in packing. By letting them choose what goes in the bag and what stays home, I eliminate the “This bag is too heavy!” or “I can’t believe you didn’t bring that!” comments.

7. Foreign Languages. There are some special things to take into consideration when visiting a foreign country.  Remember, not everyone speaks English.  Although we’ve seldom had a problem finding someone who speaks English, it’s amazing how far learning a few words in the local language will get you.  When we were in France filming Travel With Kids Paris, the whole family learned basic greetings and pleasantries in French before we left and had a much different experience than friends of ours who tried to get by on English only.

8.  Money, Money, Money.  Keeping track of your money while you are traveling is very important.  You don’t want to get half way through the trip and realize you’ve already spent your budget.  Decide before you go how much money you’d like to spend then convert it (in your head not at the bank) into local currency.  This will enable you to think in local currency before you arrive at a destination.  But don’t withdrawl all that cash just yet, carrying all your spending money is just asking for trouble.  We bring a few hundred dollars in cash dispersed to several places (two wallets, tucked inside passport carrier, in side pocket of carry-on, some in suitcase). The rest of your spending cash can be easily withdrawn from ATMs along the way but be sure to check with your bank about fees and accessiblity.

My other bit of advice…to keep your sanity and teach the kids a bit of math…give the kids a spending budget.  Decide on an amount before you leave and give it to them at the start of the trip in local currency (this is especially fun for them if the currency trades in our favor…a 1000 bill in a foreign currency may only be worth $10 here, but it gets them really excited!)  They then have to budget their money, negotiate purchases and convert to dollars to figure out if it’s a good deal. What a math lesson!

Now you’ve got the tools to plan the trip of a lifetime with your family.  Decide on a destination and peruse the vacation rentals on this site.  For a little extra guidance check out our travel documentaries. But whatever you do don’t wait.  Before you know it, life will become more hectic, the kids more scheduled and you’ll think, why didn’t I go then?

Security:
• Alert the post office that you will be gone so that your mail can be forwarded.
• Hire someone to check on the home every few days or every week to make sure there are no incidents.
• Make sure your alarm system is working properly.
• Hire a snow plow service to shovel after snow falls as snowy sidewalks are a giveaway that no one is home to burglars.
• Make sure you have a few exterior and interior lights on timers so it looks like someone is home at night.

Keeping Your Home safe in the Cold:
• Clean out gutters and install leaf blockers over gutters- this will help keep water away from your home.
• Prune any overhanging limbs that could cause damage during a storm.
• Remove screens and put up storm windows.
• Close swimming pool and store lawn furniture as well as the grill.
• Keep your thermostat at a cool 55 F, cool enough to not waste heat but warm enough so that pipes will not freeze and burst (!!)
• Prep your pipes by putting antifreeze down drains and toilets, wrapping pipes and leave water dripping ever so slightly out of a few faucets (make sure the drains are open!) to keep water flowing and prevent frozen pipes.
• Caulk holes around windows and weather strip around frames to make sure that no drafts get through.

One thing to consider before you go through the measures of winterizing is to try and find a long-term renter for the off-months, however long that may be. This way, you can still make some easy money on your second home while someone else can have the pleasure of enjoying it! If this is not a possibility, it’s never too early to start finding guests for the next season, so start advertising and putting the word out there about your vacation home.
But whatever you decide to do, make sure that your home is ready for the chill!

There are many simple things you can do transform your property into an ideal holiday retreat that will ensure your guests feel right at home in you rental. Not only will your home emanate a jolly spirit, but guests will truly enjoy the effort to make their holiday as special as ever.

Consider adding the following decorative items to your property to welcome autumn and new Guests:
• Fall/Winter decorations like carved pumpkins and wreaths
• Cinnamon potpourri or candles throughout
• Fall scented soaps like pumpkin or cranberry spice
• Festive dishcloths and place mats
• Fleece sheets and lots of blankets

We’ve already emphasized our love for welcome baskets to make the best first impression (who doesn’t love getting gifts?!) Consider tailoring the gift basket so that it suits the season.

For the fall include:
• Pumpkins and carving tools
• Seasonal recipes that incorporate local harvests
• Local foods that are at their prime in the season (think apple pies, jams, fresh pomegranates)
• A list of fun seasonal activities in the area- apple picking, ice skating or festivals
• Trail maps to mountains, parks or hiking trails that are particularly special this time of year

Of course feel free to put your own twist on these ideas, but your guests are guaranteed to appreciate the welcoming gesture as well as the festive spirit.

Jaco, Costa Rica has earned the FlipKey ‘manly’ seal of approval, so round up your best guy friends and proudly declare it a mancation… did we mention the cigars here are divine?

Jaco is a well-balanced blend of rugged and gutsy activities like bungee jumping off the 265 ft bridge over the tops of the forest canopy or white water rafting the class IV rapids of the Naranjo River. Jaco is also home to some dynamite golf courses, like the coastal holes at the Hacienda Pinilla. Deep Sea fishing is also great for rekindling your inner man-flame. After you and the boys catch some tuna, take it back to your vacation rental and grill it up for some freshly won dinner.

But that’s not all…Jaco’s nightlife is almost as adventurous as its day-time activities. With bars open all night attracting crowds of all ages, it’s easy to get lost in the blur of the evening. Of course with the world-class beach out your backdoor, spending your days recovering from the night before is always an enjoyable option.

While many hotels are at their peak rates during the winter months, vacation rentals are a great way to kill two birds with one stone. You and your boys can get the chance to rule the roost but not break the bank in the process. Check out FlipKey’s huge database of vacation homes for any sized group of guys looking for a mancation.

Butternut Squash Soup
1 butternut squash
2 cloves garlic
1 Cinnamon stick
¼ cup carrots
¼ celery
Bacon (optional)
6 cups chicken stock
½ cup half and half
Nutmeg

Dice squash, carrot, celery, garlic, cinnamon stick and bacon. Fry in a large pot with butter for about 8 minutes. Add chicken stock and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Throw away the cinnamon stick.

Let the soup cool down before putting it in a blender. Puree until smooth. Heat soup back up to a simmer, stirring in the half and half.

To serve sprinkle with nutmeg, salt, pepper and cheddar cheese if preferable.

Beef Stew
2 pounds cubed beef
Olive Oil
1 chopped onion
4 sliced carrots
8 cups beef stock
7 cups peeled, cubed potatoes
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
6 cloves minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Saute beef with olive oil until meat is brown on all sides. Add and sauté garlic. Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, onion, carrots, potatoes, thyme and cloves. If using a crock pot cook on low for 10 to 12 hours (5 to 6 on high) or let simmer on stove about 40 minutes to an hour, stirring periodically every 10 minutes or so.

Remove bay leaves before serving.

Hot Apple Cider
2 quarts apple cider
½ cup lemon juice
2 whole cloves
½ cup brown sugar
1 orange, sliced
A Pinch of nutmeg
1 cup rum (optional)

Add apple cider to a pot on medium heat. Add remaining ingredients (except for nutmeg). Let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often.

To serve, pour mixture through strainer (to remove herbs). Garnish with nutmeg.

Caramel Apples
6 cold apples
1 cup cream
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup honey
14 ounce package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped

Remove stem from apples, and replace with craft stick. Cover a baking sheet with parchment. Prepare a bowl of cool water to place pan in later.

Heat cream and salt briefly, stir in honey and caramel and bring to a boil. Bring to a simmer, stirring with a spoon for about 15 minutes. Place pan in bowl of cool water to stop caramel from cooking (caution: do not get any water into the mixture!) Dunk apples into caramel mixture and place on parchment paper. Let cool in fridge and enjoy ?