Travel Tips
What To Look For In A Holiday Home
Travelling is something we all love to do, but making it more approachable is something we desperately need to start introducing in the modern world. And one great way to do that is to invest in a holiday home. A holiday home is something a lot of people consider, and it’s something a lot of people never end up seriously looking into. Yet, it’s a lot easier to find a place of your own when you’re abroad than the majority of people think!
Yes it’s a huge investment, but it’s a good place to escape to whenever you need to, and you can rent it out when you aren’t using it. Turning your travelling lifestyle into a money maker: sounds like a good idea already, doesn’t it? So if you’re big on the nomadic side of a lifestyle, this is something to start seriously considering, and this post is here to help. Below are the tips you need to look for in a holiday home.
First of All, You Don’t Even Have to Buy!
The good thing about travelling is that you get to choose how to do it. If you’re off on a cycle tour, all the luck is with you. If you’re looking to stay in a Greek resort for an entire week, all the best! Yet, when it comes to making these activities more of a permanent arrangement, of course it’s going to get expensive. But there’s ways around that to make sure you can achieve the travelling lifestyle you’ve always wanted.
If actually investing at least $100,000 in a home away from home, when you’re already needing to pay for that, is daunting, you always have the ability to rent a place of your own in multiple countries across the globe. For example, there’s plenty of property for rent in Singapore going right now, and you could be the lucky tenant for a month or so in one of the most culturally diverse hotspots of the world.
Finding a Good Location (it can be hard!)
Location is everything, and if you don’t have a house in a sort after area, you’re not going to have offers flooding through your door when it comes to renting the place out. Similarly, whilst you might enjoy the countryside in the great unknown of another country, it’s going to be hard to see all the sites you want in the inner city and around the towns.
So you want your new holiday home to be within a couple of miles or so of the nearest big town, and you want it to have a good view across the hills, streets, or fields in between here and there. When something is picturesque, possible tenants take much more of an interest in it. Not to mention the amount of land there is to explore at their own pleasure!
Countries like that of Bulgaria, full of history and culture and a stepping point to the East and Asia, is a great place to try and set down roots. The same goes for Greece, with its economy at a turning point and looking for investors 24/7. If you find a place with high demand and low prices, it’s usually going to have a lot more substance to it than the usual hotspots. Give these nations a look first before looking for places within Europe or the Americas.
Is it Close to the Beach?
The beach is symbolic for holidays. If property is close to a beachy area, or has a sandy surrounding, you’re going to love your new location! Being able to skip down to the beach in a minute or so when it’s sunny is something we all dream of doing when we’re at home; it’s time to live those dreams!
A beach house is something a lot of people want but not many people deserve, so make sure you’re getting your foot on the ladder with such an exclusive prospect! You’ll be able to rent the place out at much higher rates when you’re back at home, getting back into the daily grind of being away from the view you love so much.
Does it Have a Good Connection to the Outside World?
Your new home amenities are going to matter more than ever, so if you don’t have a reliable water source or your wifi keeps dropping, it’s not going to be much of a holiday home. You want to be able to relax in it, and you want to be able to rent it out to others to make sure they can relax as well. If it’s not a comfortable experience, people aren’t going to come back, and you’re going to lose money.
Services need to be close by your new location. People like plumbers and electricians should be practically on call when you need them, and a supermarket or convenience store should be a couple of streets away at most. This is what matters more than having a reliable wifi signal, as you can’t simply build a new shop right next door! Even if you haven’t found a place that has the best signal around, you can invest in boosters for very little extra to make sure you’re getting web pages loaded when you need them and videos streamed without a hint of buffering. It simply makes your new house a lot more desirable at the end of the day, for you and others.
Holiday homes are a huge investment, so never rush into buying one when it comes to organising another trip. A weekend in Paris after only a half hour of planning is fine, but when you’re splashing out thousands, you’re going to need to put some serious thought in. Make sure you’re looking at the countries that have the greatest amount of tourism to them; not only are they good place to come back to each summer when you need a break, but they have the most visitors to make your bucks back with!
Germany—the Land of Poets and Thinkers—is not only home to world-renowned composers like Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Schumann, and Wagner. It is also well-loved by tourists for its stunning sceneries and landscapes, serene rolling hills, picturesque meadows dotted with grazing cattle, quaint medieval villages, rich culture, and hearty, scrumptious German cuisine, among others. If you want a cornucopia of unique experiences rolled into one great adventure, you definitely have to put Germany at the top of your travel bucket list.
Traveling to Germany for the first time could be a daunting and thrilling experience. At the same time, it can also be overwhelming and intimidating if you absolutely know nothing about the country you’re visiting. For such reasons, it will be helpful to book a Germany guided tour to make sure everything is already taken care of for you so that the trip will go effortlessly smooth sailing. If you are unsure where to begin for your preparations, this ultimate travel guide to successfully exploring Germany is an excellent starting point!
The Basics You Should Know
First things first, here are the basic things you should know about Germany before hopping on that plane:
Requirements for Entry for US Citizens
Germany is a Schengen country, which means that tourists from the allied 27 European countries don’t need to present a passport to gain entry to Germany. With little to no border control at their mutual borders, tourists from the other Schengen countries can seamlessly cross borders into their neighboring countries, including Germany.
Now, if you’re from the US, you would need to present a passport to be allowed entry in Germany. This U.S. passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen area.
Budget Allocation
The prices of lodging and commodities in Germany are definitely cheaper than in the US, so you would find that most things are affordable here. If you are an average spender, expect to shell out $55 to $90 per day on accommodation, food, and transportation. Meanwhile, mid-range travelers may have to spend around $110 to $160 per day, and luxury spenders may have to shell out $200 or more daily.
The Best Time to Visit Germany
Like most European countries, Germany has four seasons, each having its unique charm and appeal. This means that the best time to visit Germany would ultimately depend on your preferences.
Summer
If you like to participate in outdoor activities and festivities, it is best to visit Germany during its summer months—from June to August. However, take note that this is also the peak season, so there will inevitably be larger crowds, and the commodities tend to be more expensive.
Winter
Meanwhile, if you fancy engaging in winter sports, it is best to visit during the winter months—from December to February. Expect that the quaint German villages will have a snow-capped snow globe-like charm to them. Additionally, prices of accommodations and commodities tend to be lower since the crowds are sparse during the cold winter months. However, take note that many stores are closed down for the winter, except during the days leading up to Christmas. The German Christmas Markets are definitely not to be missed!
Spring and Fall
The shoulder season in Germany falls under both Spring—from April to May—and fall—from September to October. During these months, the weather tends to be milder, the prices of hotels and commodities tend to be lower than in the summer season, and there are also fewer tourists around.
Festivals and Events
Germany is known for having two essential festivals: the Oktoberfest and Christmas Markets.
Oktoberfest is a festival held yearly in Munich that celebrates beer, food, and Bavarian culture, along with some live music and carnival rides for 16 days straight. This world-renowned festival runs from late September to early October, attracting countless visitors from all around the world.
On the other hand, come late November til the end of December, Germany transforms its tranquil towns into a magical winter wonderland, complete with snow-dusted Christmas trees and cobbled lanes. During winter, everywhere you look, you will see festive wooden huts draped in lush Christmas garlands, sparkling string lights, and handcrafted Christmas ornaments and gifts. The delightful smell of roasted nuts, gingerbread, mulled wine, and German sausage hangs around the air as you make your way through the German Christmas markets. Christmas in Germany is truly the jolliest time of the year!
Transportation
Germany boasts an extensive public transportation network comprising of buses, trams, U-Bahn (or subways), and trains. You don’t really need to rely solely on driving cars to get around the area, as Germany’s public transportation system is reliable, efficient, clean, and comfortable to use.
If you want to get to your destination quicker, you should ride ICE Trains, which are speedy but tend to be expensive. On the other hand, regional trains tend to be slower in terms of speed but are much more affordable. But if you are on a tight budget, riding the bus will do as it is the least expensive option. You can even plan your travel using public transportation via apps like Deutsche Bahn or Rome2Rio.
To ensure a hitch-free ride, make sure you always validate your ticket at the machine in the stations before you board the train or bus. And do take note of the schedule of the vehicles as the trains in Germany are very punctual. They arrive on the dot, so it is important for you to arrive at the station early so you won’t miss your train. Lastly, you may need to push a button to open the doors so you can get off at your stop, or may need to alert the driver that your stop is approaching.
Best Places to Visit
Germany has a pocketful of mesmerizing sights, medieval architecture, and landscapes to marvel at. At a glance, here are the best places to add to your itinerary:
City Escapades
- Berlin
Germany’s capital city is one of the top tourist destinations, thanks to its marvelous museums, opulent art, and vibrant culture. This is the best place to appreciate Germany’s striking contrasts, where the past and present intermingle as historical buildings stand alongside modern architecture.
- Munich
It is Bavaria’s capital, which is known as the home of the world-famous Oktoberfest celebration. If you love beer, you will love Munich’s beer halls, most especially the famed Hofbräuhaus.
- Köln (Cologne)
This two-millennia-old city is famed for its twin-spired Cologne Cathedral and its gilded medieval reliquary alongside sweeping river views.
Quaint Medieval Towns
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This German town nestled in northern Bavaria is known for its charming medieval architecture. As you walk its cobblestone streets, you’ll be amazed at the panoramic sight of its well-maintained half-timbered houses. Arguably, this is the best medieval town in Germany.
- Nuremberg
Back in the Middle Ages, the Imperial Castle in Nuremberg was once considered the most important imperial palace in the Holy Roman Empire. For centuries, the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg stood as a secure base and prestigious residence for the head of the Empire.
Charming Fairytale-Like Castles
- Neuschwanstein Castle
This fairytale-like castle nestled deep within the Bavarian Alps is one of Germany’s best tourist attractions. It is famously known as the inspiration for the castle design of Disney’s Cinderella. This castle was built by the orders of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who was infamously known as the “mad King Ludwig.” The ever-so-beautiful castle of Neuschwanstein was supposedly a hideaway for this reclusive mad king.
- Burg Eltz
This 1,000-year-old fairy tale castle is nestled at the heart of the hills above the Moselle between Koblenz and Trier. It is among the oldest castles in Germany, and to this day, it is still owned by the House of Eltz, a clan who have lived there since the beginning of the 12th century.
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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