I got this crazy idea the other day. People have all these ideas of how to pick a destination. Maybe it's romantic. Maybe it's a place the kids will find enjoyable and stay out of mommy and daddy's thinning hair.
I hope these select vacation rentals get you thinking of how your lodging might become an integral part of the whole European vacation experience.
1. Stay in a Castle along the Romantic Road
What's better to keep the kids busy than a moat with colorful fish? It will amuse them for hours. But the adults will like the interiors of these places (be sure to check the tabs on top for all the rental options).
I, on the other hand, am attracted to the part that says, "Tranquillity and the view of the charming landscape past the moat let stressed guests relax quickly."
What's this "Romantic Road" thing? See our Romantic Road Map and Guide.
2. Taormina!
Is there any more romantic place in the world than Taormina, that perfectly situated city in Sicily with the Greek Theater, second in size only to the one in Syracusa? You lovebirds might want to see some opera there while the cool evening breezes waft over you and the view of the sea enchants you. The kids will be happy to hang out by the pool and read Goethe, who wrote about Taormina enthusiastically in his book Italian Journey.
For more on this vacation rental location, see the Taormina Travel Guide.
3. Dragor: Copenhagen, romantic & very special
How about a cottage in a little fishing village outside of Copenhagen? Just 50 meters from the sea! That's romantic, no? Plus you can take the train into Copenhagen if you want a touch of city life. In case you need more, the kitchen is in Provencal style.
4. Modern in Istanbul
You take a 1875 Property, a fine building, gut it and install a clean, modern, and quite functional space to hang out in. And just in case you miss that daily cleaning you get with a hotel, well, not to worry because it comes with this apartment!
So, to sum up, you'll like the cleaning, your kids will like the glass elevator.
Find out more about what you can do in Istanbul: Top Istanbul Attractions.
5. Charming Provence
Imagine yourselves out on your terrace sipping wine, drenched in the shade of a fig tree, as if you were in the garden of Eden contemplating doing something a bit naughty. Well, here's your chance.
You can always have the kids climb the fig tree to pick the ripe ones.
For more on what you can do in Provence, see: < ahref="http://goeurope.about.com/b/2009/11/02/a-week-in-provence-day-one.htm">A week in Provence
6. Eiffel Tower Lux
Ok, let's say you take the kids' inheritance and blow it on a Parisian apartment where you all can wallow in luxury with the Eiffel Tower looming in the window. You might never have to leave the apartment. Just look at the amenities: four (!) flat-screen TVs, free Internet access, local telephone usage with free US calling, hi-fi and washer/drier. If the kids still get all restless and squirmy, alas, there is a home gym machine!
Find out more about Paris: Paris Travel Guide
