(PRWEB) January 16, 2009 -- Have you ever rented a cottage over the Internet? If you have then you'll know how annoying it can be. Surfing endless sites with sometimes disorganized information and no address, trying to find out if Fido can come, looking for the nearest beach, searching for a romantic place or a fishing spot, there's no end to it.
A family in Toronto complained about not being able to search for a cottage, but, unlike most, they didn't just complain about it, they decided to do something. They were looking for a cottage just like everyone else; on the multitude of websites. They simply wanted a three bedroom cottage within 250 km of Toronto. They found about 50 different cottages. And then the nightmare began.
"We had to check the distance to each cottage individually using Google Maps. It was even sometimes impossible to find some of them," says Yuriy Setko, founder of Rent Cottage Canada. Like every family, the Setko's have their preferences. It took some deciding, but both them and their friends found amenities they both agreed on: a fireplace, a satellite TV, a ping pong or a pool table, etc. They also wanted to have fun outside the cottage. Yuriy's wife likes cross-country skiing, Yuriy himself likes ice fishing, and their teenage daughter has always wanted to try snowmobiling. The entire family and their friends also wanted the cottage to have a sauna or hot tub.
"More or less, the cottages had most of the things we wanted, but we still needed to find one within our price range. The best the cottage renting sites could offer - besides the price range and the number of bedrooms - was to narrow the search to waterfront properties. As for the rest, we were forced to print out every single property listing and literally go through everything with a highlighter," says Yuriy.
The printouts were everywhere, and the Setko's house was a mess because of it. Even after all that, they had nothing. Their friends did the same, but they, too came up with nothing. This story has no happy ending. The Setko's wasted lots of time searching the Internet, printing stuff out, and talking tirelessly to their friends, deciding. They were forced to celebrate New Year at home by themselves.
Yuriy, a software engineer, has summarized the disadvantages of cottage renting sites, and, finding these to his dissatisfaction, decided to design a new engine. The engine will give potential renters a powerful Cottage Finder, and provide cottage owners with renters. The engine has the ability to search the distance to the cottage from their home, find the amenities, features, services, and activities they want.
Google Maps was selected to calculate the distances and to visually represent the cottages on the Map. A detailed search screen was designed to satisfy the needs of any renter. When staying at a cottage it's always nice to know what's around. Not just stores and shopping malls, but also historical places and attractions. There are Wikipedia articles connected to the Map, so every cottage renter can see what's in the area. There are millions of good quality pictures uploaded to Panoramio. These pictures are geotagged to a place on Google Maps. Rent Cottage Canada also has this feature. Panoramio photos also can be displayed on the Map, so the renters can easily browse attractions around the cottage, and on the actual cottage listings as well, adding up to 20 of the most popular (taken within 25 km distance from the cottage) pictures from Panoramio to their cottage listing.
There is much more on the site to help unite renters and owners that other sites have not even begun to discover yet.
Rent Cottage Canada was launched just a few days before New Year, and currently has over 150 cottages on the map from most of the Canadian provinces.
You can check out the new cottage renting service online on Rent Cottage Canada http://rent-cottage-canada.com.
New Internet Fraud Targets Guests of Top Hotel Chains
(Vocus) January 26, 2009 -- A well-organized online fraud is scamming over 71,000 travelers each month as they book rooms online at some of America's best known hotel chains, including Hyatt, Clarion, TraveLodge, Comfort Inn, Red Roof, EconoLodge, Super 8, Ramada, Days Inn, and Wyndham, according to an exclusive report by FraudTip.com.
Findings released for the first time this morning show that the Internet scam combines advanced online advertising, bogus hotel locators, third-party reservation systems, and Internet browser crimeware to redirect hotel guest traffic to fake versions of well-known hotel chain websites.
The scam casts a big net and is evolving daily, reports FraudTip.com. Affected properties include hotels and suites, budget motels, airport hotels, luxury hotels, resorts, and casinos.
Hardest hit are Super 8 Motels, Days Inn, and Ramada, which are owned by Wyndham Worldwide in Parsippany, New Jersey, the world's largest hotel chain. A total of over 50,000 travelers seeking out these hotels are redirected to the bogus sites each month.
Another 15,862 prospective guests are redirected from Comfort Inn, the chain owned by Choice Hotels International located in Silver Spring, Maryland. Econo Lodge and Clarion Hotels & Resorts, also owned by Choice Hotels, are targets as well.
Red Roof Inn, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is currently losing an average of 4,441 visitors per month. In addition, Hyatt Hotels, headquartered in Chicago, has fallen prey to the same fraud network.
FraudTip.com's preliminary findings show that the fraudulent sites are attracting a higher-than-average percentage of female visitors, teens, as well as adults 50+. The scam has also attracted a higher-than-average percentage of African American visitors, and has proven effective in attracting an affluent audience, and a high index of graduates and post graduates.
In conducting its investigation, FraudTip.com used several methodologies including an audience measurement approach that couples machine learning with massive quantities of directly measured data. The system, by QuantCast.com, is designed to deliver detailed audience information that can be leveraged in real-time for addressable advertising, however, it was used by FraudTip.com to estimate the magnitude of the fraud.
A series of conference calls for hotel chain executives will be held today with Washington, DC cybersecurity insiders to evaluate claims against the perpetrators, legal options, asset recovery, and continued monitoring.
Findings released for the first time this morning show that the Internet scam combines advanced online advertising, bogus hotel locators, third-party reservation systems, and Internet browser crimeware to redirect hotel guest traffic to fake versions of well-known hotel chain websites.
The scam casts a big net and is evolving daily, reports FraudTip.com. Affected properties include hotels and suites, budget motels, airport hotels, luxury hotels, resorts, and casinos.
Hardest hit are Super 8 Motels, Days Inn, and Ramada, which are owned by Wyndham Worldwide in Parsippany, New Jersey, the world's largest hotel chain. A total of over 50,000 travelers seeking out these hotels are redirected to the bogus sites each month.
Another 15,862 prospective guests are redirected from Comfort Inn, the chain owned by Choice Hotels International located in Silver Spring, Maryland. Econo Lodge and Clarion Hotels & Resorts, also owned by Choice Hotels, are targets as well.
Red Roof Inn, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is currently losing an average of 4,441 visitors per month. In addition, Hyatt Hotels, headquartered in Chicago, has fallen prey to the same fraud network.
FraudTip.com's preliminary findings show that the fraudulent sites are attracting a higher-than-average percentage of female visitors, teens, as well as adults 50+. The scam has also attracted a higher-than-average percentage of African American visitors, and has proven effective in attracting an affluent audience, and a high index of graduates and post graduates.
In conducting its investigation, FraudTip.com used several methodologies including an audience measurement approach that couples machine learning with massive quantities of directly measured data. The system, by QuantCast.com, is designed to deliver detailed audience information that can be leveraged in real-time for addressable advertising, however, it was used by FraudTip.com to estimate the magnitude of the fraud.
A series of conference calls for hotel chain executives will be held today with Washington, DC cybersecurity insiders to evaluate claims against the perpetrators, legal options, asset recovery, and continued monitoring.
GreatCampJobs.com: Working at Summer Camp is Great for Your Career
CampGroup announces the launch of GreatCampJobs.com, a completely redesigned website featuring summer camp jobs and how they are beneficial to your career. A common application is supplied for available summer camp counselor positions at all of CampGroup's overnight and day camps, located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey and Michigan.
White Plains, NY (PRWEB) February 6, 2009 -- CampGroup announces the launch of GreatCampJobs.com, a completely redesigned website featuring summer camp job opportunities and how they are beneficial to your career.
How often do young adults hear "Get a real job"? GreatCampJobs.com points out that working at summer camp is a real job with training, growth potential, management skills, and practical experience. Summer camp jobs provide on-the-job training for careers in teaching, coaching, parks and recreation, child development, as well as, business skills such as problem solving, communication, public speaking, time management, planning and execution. Some colleges will even allow students to earn internship credit through summer camp counselor jobs.
"Unlike other job seeker websites, GreatCampJobs.com, points out the strategic advantages of working at summer camp. Many of the skills utilized and learned as a summer camp counselor are valuable tools in the business world," says Dan Zenkel, CEO of CampGroup, a family of independently owned and operated summer day and overnight camps in the Northeast and Michigan.
GreatCampJobs.com provides detailed job descriptions for all positions from cabin counselors and activity specialists to nurses, accounting and support staff. "Experience shows that realistic expectations are the number one factor in retaining staff year after year and GreatCampJobs.com strives to depict a clear picture of the hard work yet priceless rewards." According to Sue Baldwin, staffing coordinator for Lake of the Woods camps, four 2-4 week overnight camps in Michigan for boys and girls.
A major draw to working at summer camp is the chance to work with expert professionals in each field, whether a top collegiate sports coach, exhibiting artist or experienced teacher. The training and practical experience gained in a camp position is unique. Counselors forms special bond at summer camp and these lifelong networking connections can be invaluable in later job searches.
For a position at any of the CampGroup summer camps, visit GreatCampJobs.com for an easy online application. All candidates undergo a personal interview and rigorous background check before a final offer is extended. For international applicants, there is comprehensive J-1 and F-1 visa information and applications available.
CampGroup, LLC, the largest owner/operator of for-profit summer camps in the nation, is at the forefront of summer camping. The Company's fifteen premier camps, which are located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey and Michigan, include Camp Akeela, Black Bear Lake Day Camp, Camp Cobbossee for Boys, Camp Danbee, The Glen at Lake of the Woods, Greenwoods Camp for Boys, The Grove at Lake of the Woods, Camp Kippewa for Girls, Lake of the Woods Camp for Girls, Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, Ramaquois Day Camp, Camp Walt Whitman, Camp Wicosuta, Camp Winadu, and Camp Winaukee. http://campgroup.com
White Plains, NY (PRWEB) February 6, 2009 -- CampGroup announces the launch of GreatCampJobs.com, a completely redesigned website featuring summer camp job opportunities and how they are beneficial to your career.
How often do young adults hear "Get a real job"? GreatCampJobs.com points out that working at summer camp is a real job with training, growth potential, management skills, and practical experience. Summer camp jobs provide on-the-job training for careers in teaching, coaching, parks and recreation, child development, as well as, business skills such as problem solving, communication, public speaking, time management, planning and execution. Some colleges will even allow students to earn internship credit through summer camp counselor jobs.
"Unlike other job seeker websites, GreatCampJobs.com, points out the strategic advantages of working at summer camp. Many of the skills utilized and learned as a summer camp counselor are valuable tools in the business world," says Dan Zenkel, CEO of CampGroup, a family of independently owned and operated summer day and overnight camps in the Northeast and Michigan.
GreatCampJobs.com provides detailed job descriptions for all positions from cabin counselors and activity specialists to nurses, accounting and support staff. "Experience shows that realistic expectations are the number one factor in retaining staff year after year and GreatCampJobs.com strives to depict a clear picture of the hard work yet priceless rewards." According to Sue Baldwin, staffing coordinator for Lake of the Woods camps, four 2-4 week overnight camps in Michigan for boys and girls.
A major draw to working at summer camp is the chance to work with expert professionals in each field, whether a top collegiate sports coach, exhibiting artist or experienced teacher. The training and practical experience gained in a camp position is unique. Counselors forms special bond at summer camp and these lifelong networking connections can be invaluable in later job searches.
For a position at any of the CampGroup summer camps, visit GreatCampJobs.com for an easy online application. All candidates undergo a personal interview and rigorous background check before a final offer is extended. For international applicants, there is comprehensive J-1 and F-1 visa information and applications available.
CampGroup, LLC, the largest owner/operator of for-profit summer camps in the nation, is at the forefront of summer camping. The Company's fifteen premier camps, which are located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey and Michigan, include Camp Akeela, Black Bear Lake Day Camp, Camp Cobbossee for Boys, Camp Danbee, The Glen at Lake of the Woods, Greenwoods Camp for Boys, The Grove at Lake of the Woods, Camp Kippewa for Girls, Lake of the Woods Camp for Girls, Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, Ramaquois Day Camp, Camp Walt Whitman, Camp Wicosuta, Camp Winadu, and Camp Winaukee. http://campgroup.com
VRDirectory.Net: Travel on a Budget at a Vacation Rental
Vacation rentals offer a great way to travel to your favorite destinations on a budget and enjoy family. Newly launched VRDirectory.Net will help you find the right home for the right price.
Destin, FL (PRWEB) February 4, 2009 -- Despite severe winter weather, steadily rising gas prices and weak U.S. economy, Americans are still finding time to travel to their favorite destinations - with a few changes. A new online vacation rental directory is helping people find value prices on accommodations.
Many making their summer vacation plans are opting for more economical options. Instead of an expensive European vacation, for instance, they are choosing a more affordable drive to a closer destination. And instead of booking a hotel for a few nights, families are finding vacation rentals as a more flexible and cost-effective alternative.
"With the economic situation being what it is today, more and more of guests are returning to the beach for a relaxing, simple and more economic vacation," says Amber Leto, Director of Rentals at Seascape Golf & Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.
"With the current financial state of affairs, families are finding comfort in the destinations they've been traveling to for years - just to relax and unwind. It's simple… it's comfortable… there's no guess work. And their finding it more affordable to stay in vacation rentals with family and friends. It's a great way to get back to the basics and enjoy your vacation."
As a whole, the vacation rental industry has enjoyed steady growth, thanks in part to an ever-growing number of travel websites specializing in vacation homes, condos and more.
Joe Scurto, founder of VRDirectory.Net notes, "Vacation rentals provide individualized and flexible options to travelers - options you won't get at a hotel. When searching for accommodations, many property owners provide valuable details on the home, its surroundings and even the destination in general. It's that sort of personalized touch that has converted long-time hotel guests to vacation rentals."
If you're looking to take a budget-friendly summer vacation this year, look no further than booking a vacation rental for your family. To search from hundreds of homes, townhomes and condos in the United States, visit VRDirectory.Net www.vrdirectory.net - you'll be glad you did.
Destin, FL (PRWEB) February 4, 2009 -- Despite severe winter weather, steadily rising gas prices and weak U.S. economy, Americans are still finding time to travel to their favorite destinations - with a few changes. A new online vacation rental directory is helping people find value prices on accommodations.
Many making their summer vacation plans are opting for more economical options. Instead of an expensive European vacation, for instance, they are choosing a more affordable drive to a closer destination. And instead of booking a hotel for a few nights, families are finding vacation rentals as a more flexible and cost-effective alternative.
"With the economic situation being what it is today, more and more of guests are returning to the beach for a relaxing, simple and more economic vacation," says Amber Leto, Director of Rentals at Seascape Golf & Beach Resort in Destin, Florida.
"With the current financial state of affairs, families are finding comfort in the destinations they've been traveling to for years - just to relax and unwind. It's simple… it's comfortable… there's no guess work. And their finding it more affordable to stay in vacation rentals with family and friends. It's a great way to get back to the basics and enjoy your vacation."
As a whole, the vacation rental industry has enjoyed steady growth, thanks in part to an ever-growing number of travel websites specializing in vacation homes, condos and more.
Joe Scurto, founder of VRDirectory.Net notes, "Vacation rentals provide individualized and flexible options to travelers - options you won't get at a hotel. When searching for accommodations, many property owners provide valuable details on the home, its surroundings and even the destination in general. It's that sort of personalized touch that has converted long-time hotel guests to vacation rentals."
If you're looking to take a budget-friendly summer vacation this year, look no further than booking a vacation rental for your family. To search from hundreds of homes, townhomes and condos in the United States, visit VRDirectory.Net www.vrdirectory.net - you'll be glad you did.
Cheap Vacation Travel Packages Versus Independent Budget Travel
When traveling on a budget, one of the most often asked questions is whether it is best to travel independently, reserving your own airfare, hotel stay and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It is largely dependent on the location you have selected and dates of travel. For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off-season.
On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much less expensive when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.
For instance, with a little bit of shopping, you can book a vacation package from New York to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than you would have paid if you had booked this trip independently.
Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China, and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.
Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.
It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optional. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, and then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.
If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly, you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package deal or independent travel is up to each individual traveler. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location. It is also important to consider your own personal travel style. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It is largely dependent on the location you have selected and dates of travel. For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off-season.
On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much less expensive when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.
For instance, with a little bit of shopping, you can book a vacation package from New York to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than you would have paid if you had booked this trip independently.
Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China, and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.
Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.
It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optional. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, and then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.
If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly, you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package deal or independent travel is up to each individual traveler. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location. It is also important to consider your own personal travel style. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.
Amanda Seyfried keeps men guessing
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried likes to ''keep men guessing'' but thinks they are attracted to her ''filthy'' side.
Amanda Seyfried thinks men love her "filthy" side.
The 'Red Riding Hood' actress - who is currently dating actor Ryan Phillippe - insists she doesn't think she is "irresistible" to the opposite sex but thinks they find the different aspects to her personality appealing.
She said: "I don't think men find me irresistible at all. I've got a filthy side and a romantic side - I like to keep them guessing."
The 25-year-old beauty also admitted she never had much luck with men when she was younger, and can't believe how that has changed in recent years.
She told more! magazine: "Growing up I didn't have a lot of boyfriends. But I have great boyfriends now - I've had like 12 of them."
Amanda recently admitted she is attracted to bad boys, even though she finds wayward men "disgusting."
She said: "Mystery is really sexy. Bad guys also tend to be really self-centred and very fearless - I don't know why but that is sexy. It shouldn't be, it's disgusting."
Sam Faiers will always have soft spot for Mark
Sam Faiers
'The Only Way Is Essex' star Sam Faiers says she and Mark Wright will ''always have a soft spot'' for each other, even though he is now engaged to Lauren Goodger.
'The Only Way Is Essex' star Sam Faiers says she and Mark Wright will "always have a soft spot" for each other.
Although the club promoter recently got engaged to his on-off girlfriend Lauren Goodger, Sam - who dated Mark during one of his breaks from Lauren - thinks there will always be something between them although she is keen to move on.
She said: "There's always going to be a soft spot there and I think he'll have one for me as well, but life goes on, doesn't it? But, as soon as I find The One, I won't dwell on Mark."
While Sam was not surprised by the couple's engagement she believes Lauren was wrong to accept Mark's proposal as there is no "trust" in their relationship.
She explained: "I wasn't gobsmacked, but I was a bit like, 'Woah!' If it was me, I'd hate the feeling that I had to get engaged just so that I could trust someone. Putting a ring on someone's finger doesn't mean that you're going to be able to trust them and Mark's only doing it so that she trusts him. If it had been me, I'd have said no. You want to feel that trust before you get engaged."
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)