Vacation Rental Fraud on the Rise

Scottsdale man convicted of defrauding travelers in the US. Read more here http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/08/19/20090819sr-rentalfraud0821.html


Related articles:

Dana's Tips on How to Avoid Vacation Rental Fraud
Top Ten Things Vacation Rental Owners Won't Tell You

Travelers Drunk on Deals

CNN International
To keep customers coming, hotels, resorts and even vacation rentals have offered freebies, in addition to discounts. From spa services, free meals, ...read article on CNN

JetBlue announced its All-You-Can-Jet Pass. Through August 21, a person can pay $599 for unlimited travel on the airline for an entire month, starting September 8.

Scottsdale just $850 a week ! Luxury, smoke-free vacation rental on the golf course. Aug/Sept only. $1850 a month. Call (602) 686-6313

51 Free or Eco Cheap Things To Do Around Sedona

1. Keep up-to-date on meaningful things to do in the Verde Valley and find eco chic travel deals - subscribe to new posts on this blog.



2. Ride Sedona Roadrunner the environmentally-friendly trolley that hits all the major gallery areas, shops and Uptown (free).



3. Hike to the bottom of the sacred and beautiful Montezuma's Well.



4. Go birding for endangered southern eagles, spot western bluebirds, hummingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, Kinglets, or Abert's Towhees.



5. Browse free books and check out southwestern sculpture at the Sedona Library, including the reknown Schnebly sculpture.



6. Take a guided geology or birding hike or just check out the most photographed spot in the world from the Red Rock State Park.



7. Hang out at a coffee shop with locals, bring your own mug keeps plastic out of the environment (plastic never goes away).



8. Get inspired at Sedona's Favorite Architectural Attraction, the Chapel of the Holy Cross.



9. Roam through an ancient pueblo and take in some of the best views of the Verde Valley at Tuzigoot National Monument.



10. Hike a scenic Red Rock trail.



11. Search for turquoise jewelry and other southwestern treasures at Saddlerock Barn Consignments, "giving new life to old treasures."



12. Schedule a session with an intuitive.



13. Float over the red rocks in a hot air balloon with the only company holding a permit to fly in the parks.



14. Investigate a vortex, real or hype?



15. Get enlightened at a lecture or uplifted at a Sedona Creative Life Center concert.



16. Hike Page Springs hatchery and watch for migrating birds.



17. Take a yoga class.



18. Discover more about yourself and your relationships with an astrology reading from a reputable, professional, Veronica Vida..\



19. Play 18 holes at one of the Sedona area golf courses, ask them how they're working to conserve water and reduce the use of pesticides.



20. Take a swim at Sedona's community pool.



21. Imagine the meaning of the 1,032 petroglyphs at the V-V (say vee bar vee) past the Beaver Creek Ranger Station. Only open Friday through Monday (long weekend).



22. Laugh it up at a Canyon Moon performance.



23. Learn about indigenous cultures at the free Ringing Rocks Museum.



24. Feed the giraffes at the wildlife preserve, Out of Africa.



25. Soak in the Verde Hot Springs.



26. Stroll Whiskey Row in Historic Prescott.



27. Mountain Bike the Big Park Loop and miles of other bike trails.



28. Study anthropology and art at the Mueseum of Northern Arizona.



29. Cruise on your skate board at the skate boarding park (free).



30. Hug 200 acres of trees at the Arboretum at Flagstaff.



31. Check out local events and concerts.



32. Run the Sedona Marathon.



33. Explore Wupatki's multiple ruins.



34. Watch the flicks at the Film Festival.



35. Enjoy a free event at Talaquepaque.



36. Join an eco-peace event and nosh at the Raw Food Festival.



37. Sip some wine at an Arizona winery.



38. Plan your trip with a Sedona Insider (free)



39. Protect the treasures of the American West.



40. Get spiritual with a private, guided hike to sacred lands.



41. Join the Wednesday night drumming circle at OCB (Oak Creek Brewery)



42. Or the Tuesday night Jam.



43. Discover what's grander than Niagara at the Grand Falls (water flow varies, best to go in March and April).



44. Move your body at a Pilates, World Dance, or Swim class. Call for schedule 928-282-1777.



45. Shop for your favorite clothing at a locally owned boutique.



46. Celebrate feminity with style at Marcesas Fine Shoes (check out the sales online and the cool cowbirl boots, repurposed as purses!).



47. Keep gear in use and get good prices on lightly-used hiking gear at the Art Mart.



48. Map it. Get maps for all your outdoor activities including hiking, mountain bikeing, backpacking--with Trail Finder. Or check out the free iPhone application, Trails. >



49. Cut out the middle-man, buy direct from native and local artists at the Sedona Art Mart.



50. Plan your trip online with Nile Guide: maps and info all in one place, save paper.



51. Explore an alternative to urban sprawl, Arcosanti will stretch your imagination with amazing architecture and you can ring the famous bells at the foundry and ceramics studio.

Perseids Meteor Shower Tonight, Get Outside

Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would become religious overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead the stars come out every night, and we watch television. --Paul Hawken

Perseid Meteor shower is tonight, get outside.

In Transit: Vacation Homes That Don’t Lie

By Michelle Higgins
Published: August 10, 2009
What happens if the vacation rental you booked online turns out to be a dump?
Read more in the NY Times

Related article: Top Ten Things Vacation Home Owners Won't Tell You

Top Five Reasons to Go Smoke Free on Vacation

More than 8,000 lodging properties went smoke free in the United States last year, according to AAA and that number continues to climb this year.

"Studies have found that nearly 90 percent of travelers now prefer a smoke-free hotel," says Dave Janicke, FreshStay.com's CBO - Chief Breathing Officer. "For some it's just a preference. But for others, allergies or medical conditions require them to avoid the dangers of secondhand smoke."

That is why no smoking is permitted at my vacation rentals, not even outside. We were smoke and fragrance free long before it was trendy or legal.

TOP 5 REASONS To Go Smokefree

1. Satisfaction. You won't have to complain about rooms that reek of smoke, whether lingering from previous guests or wafting in from nearby smoking rooms.

2. Support a smoke free workplace. It is healthier for lodging staff and makes their jobs easier by eliminating the time and effort to clean up ashtrays and cigarette butts.

3. Property Protection. Furnishings, linens, carpets and other amenities are last longer they are not being damaged by smoke or cigarette burns. Your clothes and luggage will go home clean if you stay in a place that doesn't have lingering tar and toxins.

4. A Break for Your Lungs. Second-hand smoke is responsible for aggravating nearly a million children who suffer from asthma. Taking a break from smoke is good for you and those around you.

5. The Prestige. Smoke-free lodging is cheap and chic. You'll find some hip, off-the-beaten track places to stay when you go smoke-free.