The five o'clock whistle blew, and the arduous November work week had concluded leaving me with a migraine and ten pounds of stress on my shoulders. Vacation, vacation, vacation was resounding throughout my mind; so when driving past the local travel agency, I decided to pull in and gather information for our next family vacation.

Finding a nice vacation home by the beach was my most important venture when I walked into the travel agency. Brochures and flyers lined the reception area, and reassuring thoughts crossed my mind, "Yes; this is the place. This is meant to be. I am going to find the perfect beach front home." I stopped and talked to the first person I saw and began asking questions. I was shown a beautiful flyer, which contained a picture of a gorgeous beachfront home, and wording that delighted all my senses. "This is perfect! Let's book the vacation for the third week in June," eagerly I exclaimed. Plans were made; a down payment placed; I walked out of the quiet, client-free travel agency feeling exuberant.

Sentiments of anxiety at the beginning of December made me call the local travel agency. I talked to Ms. Travel Agent and was reassured that all plans were in place and I would be receiving the information I requested more pictures of the inside and outside of the home, maps of area attractions, and a local-event calendar. I felt a little angst and wanted more reassuring, but I left things as is until the first week of January. During the month of January I called five times. Each time only reaching an answering machine, I began leaving terse messages. No one returned my calls; so being patient until the end of January, with only five months remaining until my vacation, I walked into that local travel agency to discover that Ms. Travel Agent didn't recall who I was, didn't have my reservation, and couldn't find receipt of my down payment. Infuriated because I had been on cloud nine since November, and was looking forward to our vacation on the beach, tetchily I left the travel agency.

During my drive home, tears rolled down my cheeks and sorrow engulfed my being. I kept thinking, "What am I going to do?" After a long school year and diligent efforts, my family and I will need, want, deserve that vacation. That evening when all four children were asleep and housework completed, I decided to getaway via the Internet. I began clicking away on the keyboard in search of finding a virtual evening on a faraway

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Vacation home rentals: Benefits of using the Internet ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!