Tag Archives: vacationrentals.com

Discover the Scenic Railways of Aspen and Greater Colorado

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Railways Trains of AspenHave a fascination with railways and want to view Colorado from a unique perspective? The beauty of train expeditions lays in the fact that you are able to enjoy some of the most remote and picturesque regions while letting the rails guide your adventurous self. To access Colorado’s railways, it’s best to take a day trip from your Aspen vacation rentals.

The following is a list of recommended railways for you and your family to enjoy:

Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway: Noted as one of the most exciting cog railways in the world, adventurers are led 14,110 feet up the summit of Pikes Peak! You are guaranteed numerous spectacular views throughout your journey.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Imagine rolling on the tracks of a railway that hauled more than $300 million in gold and silver during the mining era. You and your family can enjoy the thrill of riding in restored 1880 passenger cars and exploring abandoned mine sites, the wild Animas River, San Juan Mountains, and the historic town of Silverton.

Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad: This four-mile round trip journey takes you through old mining sites and the historic gold-rush town of Cripple Creek.

George Loop Historic Mining and Railroad Park: This historic loop was built in 1884 to accommodate the booming mining industry. You are sure to revel in the area’s rugged wilderness and beautiful views. Plus, Georgetown is an adorable town with plenty to offer visitors from around the world.

Rio Grande Scenic Railroad: Discover Colorado’s newest scenic steam engine driven train. The route will guide you through hundreds of miles of breathtaking scenery and historic towns.

Royal Gorge Scenic Railway: This 30-minute journey within open-air cars offers spectacular views of Royal Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This is a great trek for children, as they love riding in the open-air and it’s one of the shorter routes.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad:  Built in the 1950s, this rail line takes you into one of America’s most majestic canyons. Soon you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the Royal Gorge, peering up 1,200 feet to the Royal Gorge Bridge.

After a day on the rails, you can review the day’s adventures within the comfort of your Aspen rentals. Looking for vacation rentals in Aspen? You will be amazed at what you can find through VRBO Aspen. Wishing you amazing railway journeys throughout Colorado!

De-stress in Some of Colorado’s Best Mineral Hot Springs

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Aspen Mineral SpringsIn an effort to let go of daily stressors and gain health, people from all over the world flock to Colorado’s geothermal hot springs. Nestled throughout the Rocky Mountain region and within driving distance of Aspen, there are a handful of amazing springs for you to enjoy as you venture out from your Aspen vacation rentals. The following are three favorites for you to enjoy!

Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs (a 40 minute drive from Aspen) is a prime location for hot spring adventures for the family. The expansive pool, also known “The Grand Spring,” spans two blocks and contains therapeutic mineral waters that are quite calming and healing. Legend has it that the hot springs were first discovered by the Ute Indians.

Penny Hot Springs
A second option is Penny Hot Springs located within the Crystal River Valley.  The spot is frequented by locals who enjoy soaking after a long day of work. There you will find yourself in nature surrounded by amazing views of the valley and beautiful trees. The Penny Hot Springs are as natural as one can get, as two mineral springs bubble up from within granite and marble rocks. You’ll be amazed at how warm its waters can become, with temperatures as high as 130 degrees! As you enjoy the temperate waters and rugged nature, don’t be surprised if you get a glimpse of mountain goats and other wildlife while blissfully soaking under blue skies.

Conundrum Hot Springs
Aspen Mineral SpringsIn the case that you are up for a little hike before enjoying a soak in a luxurious natural hot spring, Conundrum (located in the Maroon Bells near Aspen) is a perfect choice.  The 9 mile (18 miles round trip) hike to the hot springs is breathtaking, as you pass waterfalls and enjoy the colorful meadows and fragrant wildflowers. The last couple of miles are a bit rocky and steep, so be prepared for a challenge! Once you reach the hot springs, you’ll be happy you worked so hard on the way up. The water is crystal clear and a perfect 98 degrees. The beauty of Conundrum is that challenging hike makes the hot springs all the more fantastic. Once you’ve soaked until your heat’s content, you can either explore the area in more detail or take the 9 mile trek back to the car.

No matter how you stack it, hot spring adventures make for unforgettable moments. No matter which hot spring you choose, you are sure to gain the much needed relaxation you’ve been craving for your stay at your vrbo aspen rental.

Vacation Rental Sites Comparison

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Looking For The Best Vacation Rental By Owner Site?

Since the advent of the Internet some 15 years ago, the vacation rentals industry has become a huge beneficiary.  And now, with over 15 major vacation rentals by owner websites out there, the search can be a little daunting. Vacation Rentals By Owner, or vrbo.com, was an early pioneer of the concept of utilizing the Internet to reach a wide audience when it was launched in the mid 1990’s.  While being first to market, it is still the largest and best known site for both vacation property owners and renters.  Find the best deals by going direct to owner to rent your next vacation rentals whether its in Florida, Miami, Europe, or Hawaii. There is a vacation rental, home rental, or condo rental for every family and every budget.

The History of vrbo.com

VRBO was actually established with just one condo property rental listing in Breckenridge, Colorado back in 1995. Dave Clouse was looking for a way to reach a more global audience to rent out to skiers looking to visit Breckenridge. It’s grown quite a bit since then to the industry’s leading vacation rentals by owner site with more than 75,000 listings of property rentals all over the world and visited by millions of travelers each year. The Clouse’s sold VRBO to Executive Resorts for approximately $100 million in 2007.

Here is a list of the top 7 word-wide vacation rentals websites together with related information such as their inception date, number of active property rental listings, and user reviews of each site:

  1. vrbo
  2. vacation rentals.com
  3. great rentals
  4. homeaway.com
  5. cyber rentals
  6. always on vacation
  7. vacation home rentals

Comparing vacation rentals sites

Comparing the Top Leading Vacation Rentals by Owner Sites
Vacation Rentals By Owner Site Age Google Page Rank Reviews Approximate # of Rental Property Listings

vrbo.con 1997 7 5 75000

vacationrentals.com 1999 5 4.5 35000

greatrentals.com 2001* 4 4 170000

homeaway.com 2003 6 4.5 230000

cyberrentals.com 2002 5 4 170000

alwaysonvacation.com 2003 4 4 50000*

vacationhomerentals.com 2004 4 3.5 120000