travel

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Vacationing in Large Groups

Make sure the smiles are for real!

This summer my family is having a reunion at the same Northern-Wisconsin resort my parents owned in the 70’s and 80’s. Hats-off to my mom who is organizing the trip for 16 to 18 people. Heck, organizing a weekend getaway for my family 4 (5 with the dog) is nearly impossible.

Do you have what it takes to organize a large group?

Leadership
Don’t go into the leadership role halfway; reluctant leadership is worse than none at all. Remember, the best leaders actively delegate.

People
Avoid looking back on your trip and saying, “we should have done some group psychological testing before the trip.” I know, it’s not practical to ask my two sisters, (I mean) everyone you’re considering traveling with to submit to testing (no matter how tempting the idea is). But, if your group came together by happenstance; the Leader should ask questions. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers; their greatest value is self-awareness.

General Attitudes
The passive/aggressive is the achilles heel of any travel group. They will not state their needs up front, but they will openly complain during and after the fact if their needs are not met. Avoid them at all costs! Get answers…How much time do you want/expect to spend with the group? How much alone? What travel pace do you prefer?

Money
Differing attitudes about money is one of the key factors leading to divorce. If $ can split up people who plan to spend their lives together, imagine what it can do to those who’ve only committed to 7 days of togetherness. Ask about equally handling big expenses (example, damages to rental property) which we know would never really happen.

Do everything you can to enjoy your vacation and, if you have accepted the role of Leader, part of your job is to help your entire group SMILE.

We want to help you explore Wisconsin, visit RentWisconsinCabins.com. 

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Things to Look For to Get What You Want in a Vacation Rental

Don’t Be Surprised…Ask the Right Questions

  1. Photos — Look for properties with great photos of the interior and exterior that help you envision the vacation property. If the property states that there are 4 bedrooms and you only see photos of 2, ask for more! Don’t let yourself be surprised when you show up to your rented vacation property…you should have a pretty clear idea of what to expect beforehand.
  2. Details — Some property owners include fantastic descriptions about their vacation properties. You’ll want to get a pretty good idea of the layout of the home, any unique features, and area activities beforehand. Property owners love to put on their tour guide hat, just ask for more information!
  3. Location — Many vacationers are looking for a specific vacation setting when traveling. For example, a WI traveler may search for properties on a lake or snowmobile trail. It is important to distinguish what an owner defines as “Near the Lake” or “On a Snowmobile Trail.” If you are not finding clear answers regarding the proximity of the rental to whatever setting you are searching for…ASK.
  4. Configuration — Included in many of the owners detail sections is how they accommodate their guests. If the property sleeps 6, find out how the property does that – what are the bed sizes, are some of the beds sleeper sofas?
  5. Pet Friendly — Over a third of the vacation rentals on RentWisconsinCabins.com are pet friendly, but it is important to distinguish what exactly this means. Some vacation properties welcome all pets and have huge yards to accommodate them. Other rentals may apply a small fee for pets or  only accept smaller animals. If you plan to travel with a pet, make sure to figure out exactly what the vacation owner means by “Pet Friendly.”
  6. What to Bring — Don’t forget about the basics. What’s included in the kitchen and what linens (if any) need to be brought? Then think about the specific amenities that your vacation rental offers.
    • If the property is on water …Do you need to bring life jackets?
    • If there is an outdoor firepit …Do you need to bring wood or a fire fork to cook s’mores & hotdogs?
    • If the property has a washer/dryer …Do you need to bring detergent?
  7. Communication — It used to be that a vacation would cut off your communication with the outside world. Nowadays, staying in contact via internet and cell phones is very important to some vacationers. Cell phone coverage greatly varies between various vacation properties and it may be worth your time to ask if you’re concerned.
  8. Cleaning — Ask the owners if you’re expected to clean at the end or beginning of your stay. Many properties do this for you, but may apply a cleaning fee. Because each property is different, ask beforehand so there are no surprises.
  9. Extra Guests — Many vacation properties base their pricing on the number of people staying at the property. Look for specifications as to how many guests the property sleeps and if there are extra surcharges associated with extra guests. Don’t let hidden fees surprise you, get all the information from the start.
  10. Questions — If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call or send an email.

 

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Planning in Advance vs. Last Minute Travel

Many vacationers know their favorite way to travel. Some enjoy having their getaway planned out completely months in advance. Others are happy with a weeks notice. There are definite advantages to both forms of travel.

Planned  vacation advantages:

  1. Options and openings. Where do you want to go? If you are booking well in advance, chances are that they are many options. Don’t allow your vacation to depend on what properties are available, choose the property that works best for your traveling needs. Be able to choose your rental according to criteria like what region in WI you prefer, the rental style, and the vacation setting.
  2. More time to prepare. Now that you have picked your favorite vacation rental and location, what do you want to do? By having all the dates set up, a vacationer is able to form a list of what exactly they want to do and see.
  3. Scheduling. Booking ahead allows for the trip to fit into the majority of the party’s schedules. As the dates approach, individuals can organize around the vacation to allow for less scheduling conflicts.

Spontaneous vacation advantages:

  1. Bargains. Property owners never want an opening for their vacation rental. A spontaneous trip sometimes means that you can find great deals. Search around for specials to find great properties at low prices.
  2. Weather. Wisconsin is a state of all four seasons. Some vacationers love a specific time of year and plan their trip just around that. If one is looking for a great skiing trip, pay attention to the weather and plan your vacation just after a great snow fall. The same is done throughout all the seasons, last-minute vacationers are known to plan around the weather.
  3. Adventure. Do something that you never imaged. Some vacationers love traveling to a new destination with no clear plans. Each region in Wisconsin offers something unique. Planning a spontaneous trip allows vacationers to enjoy what that area has to offer.

The decision is up to the vacationer. Whether you are planning your trip for next weekend or for next year, Rent Wisconsin Cabins is here to help.

 

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New Property Listed in Central WI: Canyon Park Cabin

Here’s yet another vacation rental that we have JUST added. The Canyon Park Cabin in Dodgeville, Wisconsin offers comfort, relaxation, and fun. Get out and explore the 44 acres of land just outside your front steps. Hiking trails will lead you through the woods to a beautiful pond and stream. Enjoy the property year round – each season brings something new. Relax outside by the fire-pit or enjoy the fireplace inside the cabin. The property can sleep up 8 (4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms). Relax indoors with all the comforts of a modern home: AC, full kitchen, VCR/DVD, linens provided, and a charcoal grill.

cozy cabin in wisconsin

Things to Do in the Dodgeville, WI Area

  • A popular recreational activity in the Dodgeville area is biking along the Military Ridge Trail which is just a few miles from the property. The trail was once a railroad track and has since been converted to a gorgeous bike trail.
  • Located less than 20 miles from the cabin is Cave of the Mounds. It’s the perfect day trip for all ages and is open year round! The beautiful cave was accidentally discovered in August 4, 1939 when workers blasted into it in their search for limestone. Because of all the hype and excitement, the cave was opened about a year later for visitors. In the following 8 weeks after the opening, over 59,000 visitors came to check out the cave. Since this, more and more are coming from all regions to check out this natural beauty.
  • Travelers visit Governor Dodge State Park for biking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, boating, and much more. Take an afternoon to enjoy the park or return each day – there is so much to see and enjoy all in one area.

      

               Other Popular Wisconsin vacation destinations:

    Eagle River          |          Twin Lakes         |         Wisconsin Dells

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See Places You Never Knew You Wished To See

If a vacationer clicked on our MAP of Wisconsin vacation rentals with no idea of where they wanted to go, it could look somewhat overwhelming. That’s because there are so many great places in Wisconsin to see. There are destinations throughout Wisconsin for all types of vacationers. Those that love to water ski, hunt, relax by the water and read a book, or hangout with the family inside a cozy cottage. We know there are a lot of choices, that’s why we are here to help.

Solutions for the undecided Wisconsin traveler:

  1. Use the Narrow Your Search tool to find WI vacation rentals that meet your criteria. Just enter some information like the number in your party, rental setting, budget, etc. to find a group of Wisconsin properties that fit your needs.
  2. Ask around – family, friends, neighbors. See where they’ve gone or would like to go in WI. Then use our interactive MAP of WI to find properties in that specific area.
  3. This last idea is spontaneous, but it will surely be a fun-filled adventure. Print off our MAP and place it on the wall. Throw a dart at the map and see where it lands and viola there’s your destination.

Sometimes it’s not really where go. Throughout Wisconsin there are many activities and things to do in all regions. So stop stressing about planning your vacation, relax you’re on cabin time now.

                       Some popular WI vacation locations:

St. Germain          |          Eagle River          |          Twin Lakes

~ RentWisconsinCabins.com

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3 Tips For Planning Your WI Vacation

  1. Research many different properties.Many cabins and cottages throughout WI are very different. Before committing to renting the property, made sure the cottage offers everything you are looking for. There are twotools to help you
    • MAP: Compare properties based on location
    • Narrow-Your-Search tool: Let us filter through your criteria and create a list of properties. From here you can contact the owners with further questions and/or reservations.
  2. Longer is not always better.It’s all about letting go of your extra stress and having time to relax and do whatever makes you happy. Instead of taking a 2 week-long vacation, break that up and take a few shorter vacations. Sometimes even those weekend getaways are all you need to get back in the swing of things.
  3. Don’t be scared off by price when renting a cabin, cottage, lodge, and home. A single bedroom vacation cabin rental will cost about as much as a hotel room, so from a financial point of view the two options are equal. However, when considering the other benefits of cabin rentals, the hotel room suddenly looses a lot of its attractiveness. Many attractions such as hiking and water recreation are nearby to your rental and at very in costs. Even more money can be saved by buying and cooking your food instead of going out for lunch and dinner. We also have a specials pdf which includes our members current specials which can be found on our official website. Happy saving!

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Flambeau Rangers – Another New Property Listing Member

We have a new member in Holcombe WI on the Flambeau River – close to the cottage are ATV and snowmobile trails. The river is home to great smallmouth and muskie fishing. The Flambeau Rangers cottage comfortably sleep 8 and is handicap friendly with all modern amenities included: full kitchen, 47I lcd satellite television, fire pit, and much more. Pets are welcome for an additional deposit and there is a fenced area along with doggie door access.

Visit RentWisconsinCabins to view more cabins, cottages, and homes in Wisconsin.

cottage living room for rent