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This Travel Agency is Giving Away 25 Epic Vacation Stays (Including an Airplane Treehouse)

By Mike Richard Aug 6, 2021 7:45 AM

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Thanks to our less-than-stellar handling of the COVID-19 crisis, many countries promptly shut the door on American travelers. The mantra around the world seems to be, “You don’t have to stay home, but you can’t come here.” But, that doesn’t mean all travel is off-limits. To celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, VRBO is giving away 25 stays at incredible vacation rental homes. The good news is that most are located in the States, so you might not even need your passport.

727 Airplane Jungle Fuselage in Costa Rica — Image used with permission by copyright holder

VRBO’s latest contest is giving 25 families a memorable vacation worth at least $5,000 each. These aren’t your typical vacation rental homes, either. From the beaches to the lakes to the mountains, winners can pick from the company’s most unique, most iconic listings. These include a massive, 38-person Texas ranch that’s basically its own private amusement park, a luxurious ski-friendly treehouse in Montana, and a private island retreat with lakefront views all to yourself. The pièce de résistance, however, has to be Costa Rica’s famous 727 Airplane Jungle Fuselage — a legit, decommissioned jet fuselage that looks like it crash-landed in the treetops near Manual Antonio National Park. From a vantage point some 50 feet above the jungle canopy, the one-of-a-kind treehouse offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and some of Costa Rica’s most iconic beachfront.

Red Sands Ranch Amusement Park in Texas — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The list of 25 homes was compiled from VRBO’s best-rated vacation homes, condos, cabins, and even castles. They’re the listings that VRBO travelers have liked, pinned, shared, and talked about more than any others. Entrants only need to share and tag a favorite family travel photo on social media. “We’re giving away 25 stays in some truly over-the-top VRBOs to our favorite entrants – so share any throwback vacation photo that warms your heart, makes you laugh, smile, or even shed a happy tear,” said Lish Kennedy, VRBO’s VP of Global Brand Marketing.

VRBO Private Island Vacation Rental — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The contest runs until October 18, 2020. To enter, just share a throwback family vacation photo on either Facebook or Instagram. Make sure it’s public, tag it with #VRBOTurns25, and you’re in. Get the full contest details here.

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If you’re looking for a seasonally appropriate escape right now, check out our roundup of the most haunted vacation rental homes worthy of Halloween 2020.

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South… Read Full Bio

These 2026 island getaways are surging in popularity right now

Sandals St. Lucia Grande

Expedia just released its latest set of data: The 2026 Island Hot List, a trending list that compiles the emerging islands travelers are searching for before they become the next big thing. According to the newExpedia data, interest in these rising island destinations is up 55% on average year-over-year, while social media mentions have climbed 20% as travelers look for new experiences, better value, and fewer crowds. If you ask me, this is pretty surprising to hear it’s up 55%, especially when I thought islands were already one of the most popular year-round travel destinations.

Ranked #1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is St. Lucia, an island I first fell in love with back in 2023 when I went on my honeymoon there. Once you visit here, it’s pretty easy to see why it’s ranked the best for romantic escapes. This destination has been a popular spot for anniversary and honeymoon trips for a long time now — and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. As travelers move beyond crowded Caribbean hotspots, many are willing to take the extra trek to destinations like St. Lucia for it’s dramatic scenery, romantic resort options like Sugar Beach, and soft adventure focus.

Six Senses Rome is a peaceful retreat in a beautifully chaotic city

the lobby at Six Senses Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and by all accounts, it gets crowded. But considering that it’s one of the world’s most important epicenters for history, culture, food and architecture, we can forgive the crowds. After all, complaining about tourism when you’re a tourist is not the way. But booking yourself a peaceful respite to start and end each day most certainly is.

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5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way

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Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.