Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful!  Whether you’re thinking about celebrating Christmas in the Caribbean, ringing in the New Year in Mexico, or spending February/March school break on the ski slopes, follow our tips below to help keep your holiday vacation as relaxing and carefree as possible. 

1. The sooner you book, the better. 

This may seem like obvious travel advice, but when it comes to holiday villa rentals, booking early is the most important tip to keep in mind. Everyone wants to get away for the holidays, but only those who book early will get the chance to book in their ideal destination in the exact villa they want. When you book far in advance, you’ll also have more flexibility with the number of nights you’d like to travel, and amenities like rental cars, chef services and day excursions will be more readily available.

Villa availability changes by the day, so the easiest way to check which villas are available is to simply give us a call. We would even suggest that you start planning for 2014! It’s never too early to start daydreaming.

2.  Know what you want from your getaway, and let that help you decide where to go.

If you’re having a hard time deciding where to go, start by considering what kind of vacation you’re looking for. If you’re traveling with children, you’re probably looking for an even mix of adult- and kid-friendly activities. Destinations like St. Martin, Jamaica, and Mexico would provide fun water sports, nature parks and family-oriented excursions to keep the kids happy, while offering more than enough luxuries to pamper the adults.

On the other hand, if you’re planning a romantic escape, you’re probably looking to avoid kids at play on the beach. Quieter, more remote islands like Anguilla, St. Lucia, or Tortola would be ideal destinations for you and your special someone to relax in seclusion.

3. Go where people aren’t.

When you book with Villas of Distinction, you’re guaranteed a certain level of privacy in and around your villa. But unfortunately, we can’t control the crowded nature of popular destinations during the holidays; restaurants, shops and beaches are bound to get busy.  

Luckily, we have villas hidden in some of the most remote places in the world reserved for those guests who prioritize their privacy. For ultimate seclusion, consider renting a villa on your own private island, like Calivigny Island off the coast of Grenada in the Caribbean or Little Whale Cay in ­the Bahamas. Aside from impeccable weather and flawless views, you’ll have the beaches entirely to yourself. It’s the stuff vacation dreams are made of.

Looking for an old-world escape in Europe? We’ve also got secret villas scattered across gorgeous regions of Italy, France and Greece, all of which tend to be quieter during the holiday season – perfect for romantic getaways.

4. Plan for passports (or not).

Most of our luxury villas are located in destinations that will require a passport. Before booking your holiday vacation, be sure to look up the passport requirements for that destination and make sure all your documents are up to date. You don’t want to realize last-minute that you need to renew your passport!

If you don’t have a passport, or don’t have enough time to renew one, consider traveling within the U.S. We have luxurious ski villas located in some of the world’s best resorts in Colorado and Utah – perfect for active family getaways. If your heart is set on a tropical getaway, explore villa rentals in the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. U.S. travelers don’t need a passport to visit these gorgeous islands.

5. Talk to the experts.

Whether you’re new to renting villas or you've been doing it for years, we highly recommend you get in touch with our team of experts before booking. Your personal Villa Specialist will help match you with the perfect destination and villa for your needs, and your personal concierge will ensure your vacation begins the moment you arrive by arranging grocery per-stocking, private chef services and customized excursions. From restaurant reservations to tee times and spa treatments, our team of experts will arrange all the details that will make your holiday escape just as relaxing and carefree as you’ve always imagined.   

Are you interested in a renting a private luxury villa for your holiday getaway? Contact us today at 800.289.0900 where a qualified villa expert will help you explore which luxury villa best suits you.