The Bear Affair Cabin Rental – We’ve Seen It!

Written on February 1, 2013 at 5:18 pm, by admin

This weekend we had an affair. With bears. Because we stayed at The Bear Affair in Helen, Georgia! Seeing as how the Scenic Rentals Worldwide Headquarters is located in Atlanta, less than two hours from the cute Bavarian-inspired town of Helen, we decided it was high time for a weekend getaway. So we packed our bags, loaded up a bag of goodies, and headed north!

For full property information on The Bear Affair, including many pictures, please visit the listing on our website here: The Bear Affair or the owner’s personal website here: The Bear Affair Cabin Rental

Of course we stopped at a roadside stand to purchase some firewood and hot apple cider – I mean, isn’t that pretty much a requirement when you’re visiting Helen? We didn’t want to break any unspoken laws, after all. So, just to be safe, we also purchased two jars of homemade butter. Yum!

This was Scenic Rentals’ first visit to The Bear Affair, and we were far from disappointed. The quaint one bedroom cabin was exactly what we were looking for! Complete with loft-style bedroom (my favorite!), a wood-burning fireplace, and fantastic décor (all bear-related, of course!), The Bear Affair was the perfect mountain cabin…that didn’t require actually roughing it. Tracy, the owner of The Bear Affair, stocks the place with everything you can think of – including wireless Internet. There’s no need to be cutoff from the world…unless you want to, of course!

On our first night there, we went into town to tempt our taste buds with some authentic German food. We decided to try Bodensee, after reading rave reviews about it online. Well, the reviews were 100%, absolutely, without-a-doubt correct. That place was delicious! Just to be sure we didn’t miss any yummy goodiness, we got the Sampler Platter. Schnitzels, and Wurst, and Sauerkraut, oh my!

Back at The Bear Affair, we put our fat pants on and settled in. Turns out we were settled in for more than just the night, as we got iced in the next day! But we were certainly not complaining. We lit the fire and played some of the games that Tracy has there – Yahtzee, Scrabble, and Clue. There was a TV at the Bear Affair, and one with many channels, but we barely turned it on – we were having too much fun without it! There is also a nice cd-radio mounted on the wall, near the kitchen, that helped provide some nice “we-have-nothing-to-do” background music.

We recommend The Bear Affair for couples wanting a quiet getaway, or for a family of three – there is only the loft-style bedroom (again, my fave!), a pullout couch and one bathroom. So your teenage daughter may not want to go with you – but she’ll just roll her eyes at you anyway.

If we haven’t already convinced you how wonderful The Bear Affair is, let us just say two words; Hot tub. Yep, there’s one of those, too. Heavenly! And don’t worry about anyone spying on you – The Bear Affair is pretty secluded. We can only imagine it’s even more secluded when all of the trees are lush green, too. But for all you city folk – don’t panic at the thought of getting stuck way out in the mountains when you can’t really even see the nearest neighbor…they’re there. And you’re only a couple of miles from downtown Helen and all of its restaurants, shops, and activities.

Whether you visit Helen in October for their world-famous Oktoberfest, in the summer for their horseback riding and river tubing, or at Christmas, to see the Bavarian village all aglow, The Bear Affair is an ideal cabin for your next romantic getaway!

Upcoming Visit to The Bear Affair in Helen Georgia!

Written on January 16, 2013 at 5:59 pm, by admin

We are excited about our visit in late January to The Bear Affair! This cozy looking cabin is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Helen Ga. The Bear Affair is a one bedroom, one bathroom deluxe cabin, owned by Tracy Agro. Complete with a hot tub, wood burning fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, breakfast nook, and beautiful outdoor deck, the Bear Affair certainly seems ready for the Braswells! Many visitors know Helen for the annual Oktoberfest that has consistently been held there for the past 43 years! While Oktoberfest will be long over by the time we visit Tracy’s cabin, the town itself has energy all year round. Assuming the weather cooperates, we plan to browse candy shops, arts and crafts stores, local gift shops, and maybe even a bar or two, all contained within a few blocks of this small German-inspired city. We are looking forward to our visit and will definitely write more about her cabin when we return. If it is half as comfortable and cozy as her pictures make it appear, then we are in for a treat! Take a look for yourself on her ScenicRentals.com cabin rental listing, or visit her personal Bear Affair website.

Advertise Your Vacation Rentals on ScenicRentals.com for FREE!

Written on May 15, 2012 at 8:17 pm, by admin

We are very excited to announce that ScenicRentals.com is officially a FREE website for property owners and managers! You can advertise as many properties as you would like, for no cost at all. One of the best aspects of ScenicRentals.com is that you instantly receive a link back to your personal webpage from each of your listings! If you are familiar with search engine optimization, you know the potential benefits of multiple links for your own website’s ranking.

Becoming a free site is a major milestone and an achievement that we hope will positively affect our entire industry. While our competitors have steadily increased rates over the years, many of you have watched as our rates steadily decreased from over $100 per year to where we are now. You may have also noticed that we have continued to add features to our site to keep up with the competition. We are both full featured and free, delivering instant benefits to property owners and managers.

If you are short on time and would like our staff to list your properties for you, please let us know! We are glad to do this for you, at a nominal one-time charge of $10/property. We would love to make this aspect free as well, but we need to make sure our website survives for a very long time! The resources required to list the rentals ourselves are fairly significant given we are a worldwide website. Again, our site is completely free if you list the properties yourself. We feature both rentals by owner and rentals by manager.

Please spread the word to other managers and owners about ScenicRentals.com. The best way for us to have a major impact on the industry is to build an impressive inventory of properties. An increased inventory will help build our rankings within Google and give our industry an excellent free vacation rental listings website!

Together we can change the industry and set a new standard!

Thank you for your support!

Mike Braswell
Owner
ScenicRentals.com

Catch ya on the flip side!

Written on April 20, 2012 at 11:07 am, by elizabeth

Spring is starting to ease into summer and we’ve already caught the travel bug. Our bags are packed and we’re taking a blogging break to go on a few adventures of our own. Look for updates to come a few months down the road.

Though we won’t be blogging for a bit, we remain dedicated to enhancing your by owner vacation rental experience.

Find fabulous vacation homes for rent in destinations worldwide by clicking HERE and advertise your by owner properties available for rent by visiting our Property Owners page. And don’t forget to visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/scenicrentals and share your notes from the road.

Happy traveling!!

March storms mean roaring rapids, fantastic fishing, for Western U.S. vacations

Written on April 20, 2012 at 10:52 am, by elizabeth

Hydrologists with the Natural Resources Conservation Service have dubbed the near-record snowfall recorded in northern Idaho last month “March Madness.” Late winter storms dumped prodigious amounts of snow in the mountains, bringing seasonal precipitation levels above average for the first time all winter.

River Vacations on Idaho's Middle Fork of the Salmon. (PRNewsFoto/Idaho River Journeys)

Nearby states benefited from these late winter storms as well. Precipitation in Oregon boosted that state’s snowpack to over 100% and Washington’s to more than 125% of average. For outfitters offering rafting and fly-fishing vacations in the northwest U.S., the new water reports and forecasts are good news.

Bob Volpert runs Idaho River Journeys and outfits rafting and fly-fishing trips on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon. “Our clients come from all over the country and they’ve gotten pretty savvy about water conditions,” said Volpert. “We’re bouncing back from the recession and good water conditions will certainly help further our recovery.”

Located in central Idaho, the Middle Fork of the Salmon is one of the most popular river rafting destinations in the world.  Guided trips are typically 5 or 6 days and cover 75 – 100 miles. Volpert’s outfit launches a trip every week from early June through September. Peak flows in June attract high-water enthusiasts looking for the biggest rapids of the season. Once those flows have subsided, the Middle Fork appeals to families looking for a vacation that features celebrated whitewater, dazzling scenery, hiking opportunities, world famous fly-fishing, and traditional outfitted camping with acclaimed camp cuisine.

“Our first-time guests come for the rafting”, says Mary Papale co-owner of Idaho River Journeys. “But when they come back for another trip, they return for all the other aspects of a first-class vacation.” Mary continues, “Our guests are treated to wine-tastings, individual fly-fishing instruction, guided hikes, camps set up by professional hosts, and of course, delicious meals distinctively prepared by river-guide chefs.”

Indulge in a taste of home – and a few little luxuries – on your next Idaho rafting trip when you rent a by owner vacation home through Scenic Rentals. With plenty of options to choose from in Idaho and out West, your rafting vacation is sure to be enhanced with amenities including  jacuzzi tubs, cable television, washer/dryer and unparalleled views. Celebrate nature in style!

Are you an avid rafter? Or just a nature nut? Share your favorite vacation spots on our Facebook page, Facebook.com/scenicrentals.

Take me out to the ballgame…

Written on April 16, 2012 at 5:24 am, by elizabeth

In February we examined the Top Five Baseball Stadiums to add to your sports bucket list, but now that baseball season has started, we’re looking for the Top Three Baseball Towns in the United States.

From Boston to Tampa and way out West, we’ve made our picks for the U.S. cities that best celebrate the great American past-time. All that’s left to do is pack your ball cap and mitt and head out to the ballfield…then enjoy the frenzy of the fans before, during and after the game in these baseball-centric towns. Oh yeah – and click the cities below for by owner vacation rentals in each baseball-loving locale.

Boston, Massachusetts: Is there a bigger baseball icon than the Green Monster? We’re hard-pressed to think of one. From the fabulous Fenway Franks (seriously, there’s not a better hot dog out there…even my preschooler agrees) to the frenzied fans that populate the city, this sports town reaches fever pitch when the weather warms up. Before the game check out the bars near the stadium or just stroll the street party outside, then return afterward to celebrate the win (or soothe your aching vocal chords after a disappointing loss). Seldom will you see a more dedicated following of folks than those who turn out on gameday. Spend the rest of your visit enjoying Beantown – stroll the Commons, test your Revolutionary War knowledge and pick up a high style souvenir on Newbury Street.

Chicago, Illinois: A two team town where allegiances run deep. They don’t ask if you’re a Cubbie or a White Sox fan when you step off the plan, but you’ll make friends faster if you go ahead and declare your colors. During the summer months there’s nothing better than a ticket to see one of these teams followed by a weekend in the Windy City. Shop along Michigan Avenue, visit the Shedd Aquarium and dine in one of the cities many magnificent restaurants. It’ll be a weekend to remember for sure.

New York, New York: Say what you will about Texas, but really, isn’t everything bigger in New York? From the super-sized buildings to the often sky-high prices, the city that never sleeps is a study in excess. And this extends to NYC baseball – the Yankees and the Mets are two of the greatest teams in history, and continue one of the greatest rivalries in the country. Each fan-base has its own personality and a perfect New York baseball vacation for the enthusiast is to make time to see both teams play (or sell a kidney to score tickets to a cross-town rivalry game). Then take in the sights and sounds of the Big Apple. Looking for some help with your itinerary? A good rule of thumb is that if you can dream it (and afford it), you can do it in the Empire State – there is literally something for everyone. To paraphrase Old Blue Eyes, it’s absolutely “My Kind of Town.” (Still need itinerary help? Click HERE for Scenic’s Top Ten Attractions on a New York City Vacation.)

So what’s your opinion? Tell us your favorite baseball town in America when you visit our Facebook page, Facebook.com/ScenicRentals.

Hangout Music Fest returns to Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 18-20

Written on April 13, 2012 at 3:43 pm, by elizabeth

The annual Hangout Music Festival will once again take place in Gulf Shores, Alabama, from May 18-20, 2012. Promising “three days of music and beach,” the third annual Gulf Shores Hangout Fest will again offer unparalleled musical acts in a beautiful beachfront setting with a little something for everyone.

Headliners this year are Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White and The String Cheese Incident. Fifty-five other acts will take the stage(s) throughout the weekend, including G Love and Special Sauce, The Flaming Lips, Willco and Skrillex. The Hangout Festival takes place directly on the beach in Gulf Shores, approximately 50 minutes west of Pensacola, Florida, an hour south of Mobile, Alabama and 2.5 hours east of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Like last year’s event, more than just music will offer fun for the whole family during the three day festival. Early risers will enjoy morning yoga on the beach, a relaxing way to start a day of…well….relaxation. Shuttle service has been expanded and improved this year and will include refreshments and entertainment, making this the leading way to navigate the festival.

Bands will play on a rotating schedule and gates are open Friday from 1-11pm and Saturday/Sunday from 11am-11pm. The following items will be allowed in:

• Blankets
• Baby Strollers
• Binoculars
• Non-professional Cameras (detachable lenses
 not allowed)

However, outside food, drinks and alcohol are prohibited. For a whole list of other prohibited items, click HERE.

The best way to experience the festival is to stay in one of the homes or condos in the surrounding area and enjoy your favorite bands (plus a few “soon to be favorites”) throughout the weekend. With plenty of by owner vacation rental listings in the greater Gulf Shores area, Scenic Rentals makes finding a place to stay during Hangout Fest an easy reality. Whether you prefer to be at the heart of the party in Gulf Shores or somewhere a little more removed from the action along the Panhandle of Florida, the perfect vacation rental is easy to find on Scenicrentals.com.

Did you hang at Hangout Fest 2010 or 2011? Give us your best tips on enjoying the Festival on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ScenicRentals.

AAA Travel Lists Top Summer Vacation Destinations

Written on April 10, 2012 at 6:59 am, by elizabeth

Large numbers of vacation loyalists are still traveling despite rising fuel costs, according to a recent AAA travel agent survey and travel sales data.  AAA Travel’s lists of top summer vacation destinations include choices popular with American families for generations within the United States and around the world.  Many seasoned vacationers are expanding their travel horizons to exotic faraway lands.

“Many Americans consider travel a mainstay to our way of life and are loyal vacationers,” said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services. “While some Americans may modify their travel due to rising fuel costs, those who can are still choosing to travel and they are traversing the world.”

AAA Travel’s Top Summer Vacation Destinations by travel category are below. Planning a summer trip to one of these destinations? Just click on the links below for amazing by owner vacation rental opportunities from Scenic Rentals in each destination. Or do you own a vacation home in one of these popular locales? Then click HERE to list your vacation property for rent on Scenic Rentals. A one year listing is just $20 per year and includes 12 color photos, a dedicated URL, an owner log-in for easy updates and so much more.

Top Summer Land Vacation Destinations:

Orlando, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
Rome, Italy
London, England
Anaheim, California

Leading the way in popularity for summer travel are vacations to the Orlando area, consistently holding the valedictorian spot in the top destination class year after year.

Top Summer Cruise Vacation Destinations:

Caribbean
Alaska
Bahamas
Europe
Bermuda

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) forecasts that more than 17 million vacationers will cruise the world’s waterways in 2012, one million more than last year. AAA Travel sales data shows significant increases in cruise bookings for the summer family vacation season and throughout 2012 and into 2013.

Top Summer Exotic Vacation Destinations:

China
Peru
The Galapagos
The Amazon
India

Where will your summer travel plans find you? Visit our Facebook page and let us know. We’d love to hear from YOU!

Sandestin Wine Festival Enhances Food and Wine Experiences

Written on April 7, 2012 at 8:55 pm, by elizabeth

It’s time again for the best wine festival in all of Florida (in our humble opinion), the Sandestin Wine Festival near Destin, Florida. The Sandestin Wine Festival is building on its fine reputation as Florida’s most established wine festival, and offering enhanced food and wine experiences.

This year, the Sandestin Wine Festival welcomes guests to the Coastal Living Cooking Demonstrations and an unprecedented VIP Experience.

Scheduled for this April 26-29, the Sandestin Wine Festival is known as the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals,” and is a picture perfect event complete with white tents, the tasting of more than 600 wines, gourmet food and live music. The event is one of the best of the year and draws thousands of people to The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Opportunities to enhance this fine Wine Festival experience include the following:

Cooking Demonstrations and Seminars — Novice and experienced foodies can register for up to four seminars and cooking demonstrations from top area chefs. Presented on the Coastal Living Magazine Cooking Stages, these one hour events feature a sample menu paired with wine. The sessions provide an opportunity to relax and learn and are only $20 each, in addition to the Grand Wine Tasting.

Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m. - Johnny Earles, founder of Criolla’s in Grayton Beach and five time guest of the James Beard Foundation will prepare and demonstrate Scallops al Pil Pil with Valencia cake, almonds and olives.

Saturday, April 28 at 4 p.m. - Irv Miller, partner and executive chef at Jackson’s Steakhouse in Pensacola, is recognized as one of the originators of the New Florida Cooking and a pioneer of Florida Coastal Cooking. He will be preparing and demonstrating Tzatziki pita chips with slow roasted lamb belly paired with micro herbs, toasted walnuts and East Hill Honey.

Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. - Jim Richard, partner and executive chef at the acclaimed Stinky’s Fish Camp, will be preparing and demonstrating an authentic Spanish Paella. He and his recipes have been featured in Southern Living and Coasting Living among other prestigious publications.

Sunday, April 29 at 4 p.m. - Tim Creehan, owner of Destin’s Cuvee Bistro Restaurant, will be preparing Creole French Louisiana crawfish etouffee with green tomato crisp and steamed rice. He is the author of three cookbooks and has appeared on numerous television programs.

The Sandestin Wine Festival VIP Experience – VIP ticket holders will enjoy private events, conversations with notable wine personalities and other exclusive benefits. This limited VIP event is available for only $150 per day of choice and includes:

• VIP tasting including a four year vertical of 2006-2009 Chateau de Beaucastel Chatenauneuf du Pape Rouge, two wines rated 99 and 98 by Wine Advocate, and an interesting comparative tasting of the 1998 and 2008 vintages of Burgess Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
• A celebrity reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with top industry names including Tom Burgess of Burgess Cellars; Luis Burgueno of Marques de Caceres; Cameron Fisher of Fisher Vineyards; Jorge Gutierrez of Napa Angel Winery; Jesse Lange of Lange Vineyards; Cesar Perrin of Famille Perrin Estates; Joy Sterling of Iron Horse Vineyards; Enrique Toso of Pascual Toso Winery; Marcelo Victoria of Archaval Ferrer Winery; and Joseph Wagner of Belle Glos.
• Tasting menu lunch by Marlin Grill Restaurant
• A Specialty Reidel Wine Glass
• Express entry into the Grand Wine Tasting

Availability is limited for the special Cooking Demonstrations and VIP Experience Package. To secure tickets and additional information, go to www.sandestinwinefestival.com.

Enjoy your Sandestin Wine Festival experience even more when you stay in a by owner vacation rental on Sandestin resort property or on one of the neighboring Beaches of South Walton. Visit our Florida Panhandle and Destin, Florida, destination pages to find your ideal vacation spot for a Spring beach vacation.

New Mexico has much to offer travelers of all types

Written on April 5, 2012 at 11:43 am, by elizabeth

Albuquerque, New Mexico was recently recognized by Hotwire.com® as one of the 2012 Top 10 Value Cities in the U.S. The recognition comes as a result of the site’s annual Hotwire® Travel Value Index study, showcasing the top 10 cities where consumers can get the most vacation for their money based on low rates, discounts, affordable entertainment and overall appeal.

Touted as “the epicenter of Southwestern culture … widely recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the country,” Albuquerque offers  beautiful weather, outdoor adventures, skiing and the world’s most photographed event, the International Balloon Fiesta in October.

In addition to the Hotwire ranking, TripAdvisor® has recognized Albuquerque as one of the top 15 destinations to discover in 2012. The article says, “Whether you’re into history, culture, outdoor adventures or just in need of some new and unique scenery, Albuquerque offers exciting attractions for all ages and interests, anytime of the year.”

Albuquerque consistently ranks as an affordable vacation destination with plenty to do at a great value.

• Praised by the New York Times saying that “New Mexico’s biggest city has come into its own in recent years”
• “One of the 10 Best US Cities for Local Food” by Huffington Post
• “No. 17 of America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities” by Bicycling Magazine
• “6th Best Large City for Arts” by AmericanStyle magazine
• “One of the Top 10 Golf Cities in the United States” by Livability.com

Though Albuquerque is certainly the largest city in the state, it’s not the only gem in New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment is also home to Red River, Santa Fe and Ruidoso, each offering travelers that something special that only Southwestern ambiance can bring. Unmistakable rock formations are a hallmark of the Southwestern scenery.

You’ll have plenty of room to roam outdoors during a vacation to New Mexico – rumor has it there are more four-legged inhabitants than two throughout the state. Enjoy even more space to spread your wings when you stay in a by owner vacation rental from Scenic Rentals. New Mexico vacation rentals offer mountain views, fully stocked kitchens, bedrooms and baths and acres of privacy. Whether you’re in the market for a large home surrounded by wide open spaces like this one to house the whole group (or even a business meeting) or something on the side of a ski slope (click HERE for that), you’ll find what you’re looking for and more on Scenic Rentals New Mexico destination page.

Choose a private by owner rental home and Take a Vacation from Hotels!