At least we thought that was what VRBO stood for when we first saw it. It certainly describes our state of mind.

Alas, no. We quickly learned that it stands for Vacation Rental By Owner, which is pretty self-explanatory. If by now you haven’t happened across this useful website, let us be the ones to clue you in on this fabulous family vacation resource. As noted, owners can post their rental properties here, and that they do in spades – you’ll find properties all over the world, from Panama City Beach in Florida to Panama City in Panama. There are some gems on here: we found and stayed in a great rental in West Palm Beach. With our then 3-month old daughter, it turned out to be one of our best and most relaxing vacations, since we had ample space to move around, the ability to cook and grill at will, private parking, and backyard entertainment for all three of us in the form of a private pool and lanai with hammock.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in, say, Orlando, you’ll wade through a lot of properties done up in stereotypical Florida cheese chintz, and some of the thousands of properties on here are bare bones in furnishings and amenities. Don’t be discouraged if that’s what you find at first glance: with some digging you’ll find rentals that make you wish you could move in permanently, whether they’re fashionable condos or spacious villas. Some offer extras such as maid service and WiFi. Most properties are happy to rent to responsible families with children; if you fall in love with one that doesn’t mention children, be sure to ask, as the omission doesn’t necessarily mean children are verboten. Finally, as we noted above, properties aren’t limited to the US – some of the finest rentals can be found in Paris, London, Buenos Aires and other international spots. Whether you want to be right in the middle of things or prefer the adventure and privacy of a more remote accommodation, you’re sure to find something here for one of your upcoming vacations.

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