When you think of Venice, what symbol comes to mind? For many Venetians, that symbol is the bell tower of the Basilica di San Marco. This bell tower is known in English as St. Mark’s Campanile.

The Archangel Gabriel looks down on the city from 323 feet high in the sky (nearly 100 meters), although he is, technically, an incredibly fancy weathervane. He stands on a pyramid-shaped spire on the belfry - home to Venice’s five bells - which leads down the earth-toned brick tower to rest on a 39 square foot base.

Not many of Venice’s original structures remain. The current St. Mark’s Campanile is a perfect replica of the one which collapsed in 1902. It had stood for over 500 years. The current incarnation - its third - was built in 1912.

A smaller and slightly less ornate version marked the original bell tower, built in the 9th century. It had to be torn down in the 1500’s after an earthquake damaged it. They made the second bell tower a little bigger and a little better. Famous admirers of it included Galileo and Goethe.

Venetians appreciate the many services the unique bell tower has performed for the city. Not only do the bells help save their souls, but they also have served to warn of incoming armies. Because it was the biggest structure in Venice for many centuries, they military used it for defensive purposes, while tourists and artists have used it to “see forever”.

The bells have their own nicknames and jobs in their bell tower. One bell - Nona - only rings at the hour of nine. Another bell, the largest, nicknamed “the carpenter”, rings to begin and end the average work day. Another dreaded bell tolls the death of a prisoner. Yet another is reserved to remind Venice’s politicians to attend the Doge’s Palace.

Although not as gaudy as some other Venetian structures, the bell tower is still far from plain. The brick takes on skin tones. At the top, golf leaf glints in the sun. No bats are in this belfry, but lions can be seen walking around it. There is also a woman in bas relief represented who is a symbol of Venice herself.

Many tourists enjoy taking the elevator ride up the Campanile to enjoy the view and the interior artwork of the tower. They can also see the intricate marble works of the attic and meet the bells in the belfry.

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Vacation rentals are a good alternative to staying at a hotel during your Orlando vacation stay. Depending on your wants and needs, you have lots of different lodging options for your rental.

The good thing about renting a house is that, first off, it gives you more privacy than a hotel room will. It also makes you feel more at home and at ease, so a vacation will seem like it’s a much more personal affair, especially if you’re spending it with your family.

There are several upsides to this. One, you will save more money in the long run, especially if you’re planning to stay for more than a couple of weeks since hotel stays are usually charged per day while a vacation rental is already in one package regardless of days. Second, you will have a more personal and home-y vacation since you are allowed to cook your own food and laze around the house anytime you want, just like your own home. Third, you will have more rooms (depending on the house) than if you’ll just book at a hotel, potentially saving you money.

Do keep in mind that rentals don’t come with some of the same advantages as hotels such as room service and tour shuttles, but they offer you more privacy in a larger area. As with hotel bookings, make sure to book well in advance so that you can secure the rental of your choice in your ideal location, and at a lower price.

Beachside rentals are popular, so if that’s what you want, you will have to book well ahead of time. Of course, if you do plan on renting, you will probably need to have or rent a car so you can be slightly more flexible.

The joy of spending a more personal time with your family far outweighs any small downsides of getting your own temporary vacation home.

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Vacations have always been popular. However the most popular locations usually involve a beach. Of course you could choose to stay in a hotel during your visit, but more and more people are choosing to explore other options in terms of their accommodations. It isn’t that there is anything wrong with hotels, but the same money can often get you a lot more when you decide to check out a beach apartment in Florida or a villa in Costa Blanca, Spain. The decision is purely up to you and a reputable travel agent can help make sure you get exactly what you want from your vacation rentals. Before you make that phone call, check out some of the amenities you can expect from the standard beach rental property.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing this type of accommodation is all of the comforts of home. Let’s take a beach apartment for example. If you schedule your vacation far enough in advance, you can easily have any number of bedrooms you need or desire. Of course these properties come with luxurious bathroom and kitchen facilities as well. The extra niceties you may find include fireplaces, laundry facilities, and a gorgeous view from porches or balconies. Don’t underestimate the importance of a fully stocked kitchen. A busy family will find it easier to eat in than out in most cases and it is a huge money saver.

As far as when you rent a home on the beach, the amenities are often very similar. However with villas and houses, you are afforded a certain level of privacy that simply doesn’t exist in an apartment complex no matter how luxurious. Depending on how you picture your beach vacation, both are good choices. Houses and villas are better for those who value their privacy and want to truly be on their own. Another benefit to staying in a villa or house is that there are often well cared for gardens and personal swimming pools included in the rental price. You will have to ask detailed questions from the travel agent to fully understand the included amenities with your vacation rental.

Regardless of whether you choose an apartment or villa, there are certain perks you can almost guarantee to receive. Naturally you will enjoy easy access to the ocean and glorious beaches, that’s a given. You can also expect to be close to local attractions like golf courses, ocean activities like snorkeling and surfing, and the finest dining in the area. You can’t underestimate the importance of great shopping either. It wouldn’t be vacation if you couldn’t come home with unique souvenirs and gifts.

Beach rental apartments and houses offer so much more than the standard hotel stay. You have greater privacy and more flexibility in how your vacation goes. Whether you eat in or eat out, how much time you spend traveling to the attractions, and a friendly staffs are things to look forward to when you spend your time in a beach rental property.

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Rental property as a vacation choice has become increasingly popular in recent years, as developers and property owners take advantage of rising demand. If family members are not thrilled with the prospect of spending an entire vacation in a hotel or motel, renting a home or condominium may be the answer. Why? Rental amenities. Increased space, complete kitchens and a home-like atmosphere make this a good choice. This is an option no matter where you travel; be in London, New York City or Benidorm, Spain.

But some family discussion and planning, often months ahead of time, may be necessary to ensure that the accommodations are right for the group. Rentals are a great idea, more so if the property fits the needs and the number of the people in the group. As with any purchasing decision, the buyer should be prepared to ask questions to clear up doubts and clarify details of the vacation rental agreement. Reputable rental companies or property owners will be open with all information and willing to help solve minor problems before the family moves in.

Of course, price is important. But trying to get too much for too little can be a study in frustration. The wise way to approach the cost/benefit balance is to decide how much the family can afford for the complete stay. From that point it is easier to narrow the choices within a particular range, making sure to get the most amenities for the price.

family vacations or holiday trips with good friends are supposed to be fun, certainly, but convenience and features are as important as being a mile or two nearer the fun spots and the excitement. Dependable heating and air conditioning should be on the “absolute must” list for vacation rentals. Beyond those basics, most rentals will include all kitchen appliances, coffee maker and so on. One of the details that should be clarified at the beginning is use of kitchen utensils, pots and pans. This may or may not be included in the agreement. This goes for towels, sheets and pillowcases as well. In some cases the family may have to bring these items along. With many properties, the changing and laundry are included. Find out for sure!

When talking with property managers or owners, always ask about the location of stores and medical services. When these basics are settled, theses same people can help you locate the tourist attractions and exciting things to do. Many rental properties are part of a larger community. With this may come play equipment for the kids, fishing in the community lake or day trips with others from the area. Over the years, developers have also planned to build rental properties within easy travel distance of museums, libraries and shopping centers.

For best results in rental properties, it is important not only to have all the questions answered about amenities, but also you should have a good, comfortable feeling about the decision you have made. It is also your prerogative to change your mind and seek other accommodations before signing any agreement.

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