Who among us couldn't use a vacation right now? If you claim you don't need one, a Web site called 4VacationHomes.com will change your mind -- guaranteed. This site not only contains a wealth of information extending far beyond vacation homes into B&Bs, city information, dining guides, travelers' information, and more. It's also a great escape -- whether you're a serious contender in the market for a vacation property, or you're just mulling over thoughts of a more quiet existence. Regardless of what stage of the process you're in, you'll find what you're looking for here.

If you're undecided about where you'd like to buy or rent property, the site's city links are a comprehensive introduction to major metropolitan centers throughout the United States -- Orlando, New Orleans, Boston, Seattle, New York, and San Francisco, to name a few.

Home rentals represent the bulk of this site, and travelers have plenty of destinations to peruse, from more traditional spots like the Poconos, the Florida Keys, and Hawaii to more secluded and/or offbeat locales such as West Virginia, Santa Cruz, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Sugarbush, Vt., Taos, N.M., and the Northern Oregon coast. This section also includes links to broader search engines such as International Vacation Homes, Vacation Rental Homes Worldwide, Florida Vacation Homes, and Hawaiian Island Vacation Rentals, so your imagination is the limit.

The practice of exchanging vacation homes has become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing vacationers the ability to "test" out other regions without making long-term commitments. This method of travel also gives visitors an insider's view into a foreign culture, since travelers temporarily live within an established neighborhood, maximizing their opportunities for cultural absorption. A link to the International Home Exchange Association enables users to click a on a world map, then view available homes in that region.

Users may search a directory of available vacation rental condominiums. Most amusing about this search option is that each home listing has a name -- "Absolute Bliss," "Dune Nuttin," "Sea-A-Plenty," and "A Shore Thing," for example. Each listing is described in detail, including amenities and appliances, rental rates (which vary according to season). Some property listings also include photographs. Users may request additional information by filling out a form, and/or contact the listing's Realtor via e-mail.

Following the one-stop shopping trend that has made the Internet such an invaluable, time-saving tool, 4VacationHomes.com has included a list of additional links to related sites. This is where users may sit back, enjoy a little armchair travel, and relish in the indecision of choosing a vacation home destination.

If your idea of relaxation means playing hard at such activities as kayaking, white-water river rafting, backpacking, or snow shoeing, you'll want to head to the right-hand side of 4VacationHomes.com's home page, where you'll find a link to "4AdventureVacations." Daring visitors may book an "adventure" trip via such companies as Back Country Tours, Mountain Quest, Catapult Adventures, and -- if you're seeking the ultimate adventure tour experience -- North Pole Expedition and Southern Safari.

The site has links to all of the major airlines, including domestic and international carriers, so travelers may research fares and book trips online. The sky's the limit at "4Beaches," another related link, which serves as a comprehensive introduction to such coastal destinations as St. Maarten, the Sporades Islands and Evia in Greece, Bali, and Costa Rica, among many other international and domestic escapes. 4Beaches contains a fun sublink called "South Florida and Dogs," which names South Florida's dog-friendliest beaches.

4RealEstate is jam-packed with home owners' information, including buying and selling tips, links to agents' Web sites, and a myriad of additional sublinks for timeshare, waterfront properties, home improvement, apartments, estate planning, and more 4Retirement provides resources and information for retirees seeking vacation properties, including a directory of communities designed specifically for retirees.

If you're merely considering a vacation home, 4VacationHomes.com could be the deciding factor for you. Researching various geographic locations can be a cumbersome task without a time-saving online resource that eliminates the legwork and compiles travelers' every need -- from questions and concerns to necessary contact names and travel reservations -- all in one spot. The Internet has indeed made the world a much smaller place.

Published: April 30, 1998

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