Many travelers are choosing vacation rentals as an alternative to hotels. The site HomeAway.com has ten times the number of these rentals than five years ago, with 55,000 available for France vacations alone. Vacation rentals offer value that has appealed to many in a difficult economy.

Experts recommend that renting a house is a good option if you will be on vacation for more than three nights. In most places this will be less expensive than a hotel, especially for families who need more than one room. In addition to the more space, most listings also come with full kitchens. While some vacationers don't want to cook on their holidays, many also tire of dining out for every meal. These rentals can also be found everywhere, even in places where there are no hotels available.