9 Reasons To Travel Right Now

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Family, friends, and even we are guilty of delaying our dream travel plans indefinitely. “I don’t want to use my vacation days”, “I’m saving up for a car/condo/college loans/fine crystal dining set” etc are all excuses that keep us from getting out there an exploring the world. Although I’m a bit biased, I believe that there’s no better time to travel than right now. Also because Amsterdam won’t be as fun when you’re 90.

9. To absorb different cultures. Traveling opens your eyes to customs, traditions and languages of other countries, helping you to be a more worldly and well-informed person. You’ll also do a lot better if you’re ever a contestant on Jeopardy.

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8. To gain insight on your relationship with others.  Mark Twain said it best when he wrote “I have found there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”

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7. To see Venice.  If you ever wanted to visit this beautiful destination, you should go soon! Some say this city, famously known to be sinking, could be completely underwater in a few decades.

Photo via Jean-Pierre Dalbera/Fotopedia

Photo via Jean-Pierre Dalbera/Fotopedia

6. …And Mexico City. Some parts of this vibrant capital are sinking at a rate of 8 inches per year into the ground due to water extraction from an aquifer below the city.

Photo via schlaeger/flickr

Photo via schlaeger/flickr

5. So you can be in on travel jokes like this one:

Photo via cartoonroom.com

Photo via cartoonroom.com

4. Because it’s more affordable than you’d think. If you do your planning, you can get great deals on airfare. And picking the perfect travel accommodation is always easy on Roomorama.

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3. Because there will always be a reason NOT to go. Take a few days off work, have your neighbor watch your dog, and make travel happen!

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2. Because regardless of where you travel to, stepping off a plane will always feel like this:

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1. So you have no regrets. To quote our pal Twain for the second time in this post:

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Questions? Email the author of this post at [email protected]

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“You’ve Guessed It!”: April 15

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Our weekly “You’ve Guessed It!” photo contest starts today! Here are the rules:

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5 Underwater Attractions You Never Knew Existed

You don’t have to be an experienced scuba diver or an ocean explorer to appreciate an awesome monument, formation or statue hidden underwater. Until Atlantis is discovered, enjoy one of these equally-awesome underwater treasures that you never knew existed until just now. Grab your goggles and read on:

5. Tangalooma Wrecks, Brisbane, Australia: At first glance, Moreton Bay looks like a graveyard for sand-stuck ships. However, Tangalooma’s 15 wrecks were all purposely sunk to break the ocean’s waves and allow smaller boats to cruise safely. The wrecks have also attracted schools of colorful tropical fish, making Tangalooma a favorite scuba spot for locals. Plan a trip to this awesome attraction – start by booking one of these awesome Brisbane vacation rentals.

Photo via blog.queensland.com

Photo via blog.queensland.com

4. Il Cristo degli Abissi, San Fruttuoso, Italy: Cast in bronze and sunk off the coast in 1954, this Continue reading

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Roomorama Launches First-Ever Instant Booking Service

At Roomorama we’re always looking for ways to provide the easiest and most convenient service possible. That’s why we’re excited to announce that instant booking is now available on Roomorama.com! Now you can book a Roomorama short-term rental as easily as booking a hotel room. Simply look for the green “Instant Confirmation” sign and immediately book the property with no waiting time!
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Also, be sure to get your free download of our iPhone app to manage your bookings on the go!

Questions? Send us an email at [email protected]

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“You’ve Guessed It!”: April 8

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Our weekly “You’ve Guessed It!” photo contest starts today! Here are the rules:

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Five Tourist Attractions You Should Skip (and where you should go instead)

Whether it be tacky souvenirs, overpriced goods, or stampedes of tourists (similar to this), some famous attractions just aren’t what they used to be. Below we’ve curated some of the most overrated tourist hotspots, as well as cooler, more Roomorama-approved alternatives that you should opt for instead. Read on and let us know in the comments if we missed any overrated locations!

1. AttractionDamnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although Damnoen Saduak is the most famous of Thailand’s floating markets, this area has now become a tourist trap, with souvenirs replacing traditional market goods and boat prices reaching upwards of $100 per person per hour.

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Photo via Wikimedia Commons / Ahoerstemeier

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How to Survive Summer in San Francisco

“The coldest winter I’ve ever spent was summer in San Francisco”.  While the classic quote (falsely attributed to Mark Twain) may exaggerate just how cold summers are in the city by the Bay, there’s no denying that San Francisco is not an ideal place to be from June through August.  From the omnipotent rain and fog, to high temperatures most of us would expect in November, San Francisco summers drive residents and visitors alike crazy.  However fear not.  Here at Roomorama we have put together a helpful list of five things that will help you survive, and even enjoy, your summer in San Francisco.

1. Get Out of the City – While the weather in San Francisco may be dreary in the summer, that is certainly not the case for the rest of northern California.  Even as close as Oakland (and the rest of the East Bay), temperatures can be 20 degrees above what they are on the San Francisco peninsula.  So pack your bags, and take a hike – literally.  We recommend taking a trip to wild Yosemite, sunny Tahoe, and the boozy and beautiful Napa Valley to cure your SF summer blues.

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Photo via Wikimedia Commons

2. Manage Your Expectations – Even though it’s July, you can’t expect the usual July weather you’ve grown accustomed to.  Knowing that it’s going to be cold, cloudy, rainy, and foggy is the best way to cope with the inevitable.  If you temper your expectations, and realize that you can’t wish the weather away, it’ll make dealing with an unpleasant situation that much easier

3. Bundle Up! – The easiest way to spot a tourist in San Francisco is by looking for the people wearing shorts.   By knowing that the weather is going to be cold, you can dress appropriately, and make the best of the situation.  We recommend layers, because it does randomly get sneaky warm, and you can take off that fleece to enjoy the pocket of sun.   Remember, during summer in San Francisco, umbrellas are the new sunscreen.

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Photo via Wikimedia Commons

4. Plan Activities – The best way to cure the SF summer blues is to keep it out of mind.   So plan activities, keep yourself busy, and keep your mind off the weather.  There is virtually a never-ending list of fun (and free) things you can do.  From world class museums, to the epicenter of the west coast food culture, get out there – dressed appropriately, of course – and seize the day.   Here’s a great place to get you started!

5. Appreciate the Little Things – In these trying times, its important to appreciate the little things, and take solace in small victories.  By small victories we mean – unexpectedly sunny days, Giants games, happy hours, walking up that hill without getting out of breath, finding a seat on the bus, and walking up that other hill without getting out of breath.  Tiny victories may not be much, but they’ll definitely brighten up your mood – even if the sun can’t.

Want to head to San Francisco this summer and put these tips to good use? Explore our San Francisco vacation rentals here.

Questions? Email the author of this post at [email protected]

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“You’ve Guessed It!”: April 2

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Our weekly “You’ve Guessed It!” photo contest starts today! Here are the rules:

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A Special Announcement from Roomorama

Here at Roomorama we’re always looking for ways to make your vacation memorable.  Watch the video to see what we have planned for you!

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The Real Medellin, Colombia: 8 Things The Guide Books Missed

Anthony Bourdain may have put it best when he said “It’s almost ludicrous that this place exists and that everybody doesn’t want to live here.“ Medellin, Colombia — known as South America’s “City of Eternal Spring” — is the most amazing city you’ve never seriously considered visiting.

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